At the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, advocacy refers to our efforts to influence the public and private sectors to make life easier for people with MS and their families. Most of our advocacy is directed toward the public sector: federal, state and local units of governments. All of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's public policy advocacy relates to medical research, health care, long-term care, health insurance and disability issues.
Sometimes, our advocates need to approach members of the private sector, such as businesses, to obtain the needed results. Private sector advocacy includes actions like urging a healthcare insurer to fairly cover MS treatments, asking a long-term care facility to initiate age-appropriate programming for people with MS, or requesting a local employer remove physical barriers to facilitate the hiring of people with disabilities.
Thousands of individuals nationwide are part of a growing MS Activist Network. This grassroots movement helps raise awareness of the challenges of MS among public officials and the need for change. Together, MS activists take action and shape health policies to benefit people living with MS. Check out our success stories.
When you join the MS Activist Network, we will look to you to serve as an activist for the interests of people with MS. You will receive:
- The information and tools you need to understand the issues, the best ways to act on them, and how to reach out in your community.
- An MS Action Alert e-mail when an important issue or piece of legislation calls for your immediate action.
- Our monthly Federal Focus e-newsletter—an update on MS activism successes, timely legislation, and emerging issues.
Change happens through MS activism. With your help, we can move closer to a world free of MS. Be an MS activist.
