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Advocacy Update: May 20, 2011

May 20, 2011

This Week: in the final stretch!

MS Activists send legislation to Governor’s desk…

TXH Governor signature on billLast March, MS activists came to Austin to ask for fairness in insurance contracts.   Through your participation in the MS Action Network, hundreds of Texans living with MS shared with legislators the high cost of disease-modifying and symptom management drugs and how unexpected mid-year increases to co-pays can sometimes make it impossible to afford these critical medications. Each week, you’ve made a little more progress toward the final goal: the Governor’s desk! Congratulations—you’re nearly there!

MS activists’ priority legislation to prohibit mid-year increases to prescription co-pays and toprovide advance notice of formulary changes, HB 1405, has been approved by BOTH the House and Senate! Each vote—in committee and on the floor—was unanimous.

Legislators have learned that this issue is important to Texans living with MS and their families. They now know that high co-pays and difficulty accessing prescription medications is a daily challenge—your work this session has paid off.

Thanks to testimony from activists like Tracy Brinton, the leadership of Rep. Smithee and the many emails you have sent, this bill is one signature away from becoming law!

Governor Rick Perry officially received HB 1405 in this morning. We’ll need your help one last time to ensure that this bill is signed into law. Look for the Action Alert soon!

Legislation to ban “Discretionary Clauses” scheduled for Senate vote

TXH Senator Van De Putte in Senate State AffairsOn Monday, the Senate State Affairs Committee learned about David and Deborah Rankin’s and their fight to prevent insurers from making unfair decisions on whether to pay out claims by supporting HB 3017. The Society shared the Rankin’s story card with the committee and expressed our support for the bill.

During the hearing, Senator Leticia Van de Putte noted, “This is a very compelling story of David Rankin. I would urge [members] to read over it. It tells you exactly why this bill is needed.”   

The committee voted unanimously (9-0) to support the bill and recommended it for passage in the Senate.   What a powerful reminder that when people living with MS share their story, legislators listen!

Next Tuesday, the entire Texas Senate will take a vote on this important legislation. Stay tuned!

Down arrowDownload our bill tracker for step-by-step information and discover the progress you and other MS activists have made this session.

TXH World MS Day logo 2011Join the global movement!

Last week, we let you know about World MS Day—which is coming this Wednesday, May 25th! 

To raise awareness and take action on behalf of the 2.5 million people living with MS around the globe, each Texas office of the National MS Society will be organizing an MS World Day awareness event. We encourage you to contact your local office and join the festivities. There are also things YOU can do to help recognize this day in your community.

Got a story? Tell us!
As a person affected by MS, what other issues matter to you? Tell us here. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/26GX23F

Keep your eye on your inbox! We’ll be requesting more action from you in the upcoming weeks as our bills move through the Texas Legislature.

For more information on the priority issues in this email, please visit our website.

FacebookConnect! Visit MS Activist Texas on Flickr to view photos of MS activists in action. You can also visit our Facebook and YouTube pages to share your experiences, photos, and videos.

Advocacy Logo.jpgWant to join our movement at the Texas Capitol? Your story can make a difference!
Contact your Government Affairs Coordinator, Linnea Nasman, at (512) 340-2711 or linnea.nasman@nmss.org