Thanks to MS activists, we have successfully ...
Federal Success
- Secured $5 million in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the Department of Defense.
- Revised a potentially damaging Medicare policy on coverage of power mobility devices.
- Formed the first Congressional Multiple Sclerosis Caucus in the Senate and the House of Representatives. Find out if your legislators have joined.
- Led more than 100,000 people nationwide to sign the petition to increase federal funding for MS research.
- On March 3, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution recognizing this week as MS Awareness Week 2009. View the C-SPAN footage.
- Supported President Obama’s stem cell executive order that opened new opportunities for federally funded stem cell projects.
- Advocated for passage of the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) that was signed into law on September 25, 2008.
State and Community Success
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Governor Bill Ritter Jr. (right) signed a bill extending the voluntary contribution designation on the Colorado Tax Check Off which benefits MS.Colorado
- Connecticut has expanded the Connecticut Elder Care Program into a new pilot program — the Connecticut Home Care Program — to serve people living with MS and other neurological diseases who are 18-64 years old.
- Georgia, Texas, and Washington have passed state resolutions urging their members of Congress to eliminate the 24-month waiting period before Social Security Disability Insurance recipients can qualify for Medicare coverage.
- Illinois passed legislation to amend the Illinois Lottery Law and offer instant scratch-off tickets, so far raising more than $1.1 million for MS research. The “Dash! for Cash” game runs March through October 2009.
- New Hampshire strengthened accessible parking laws by imposing fines for blocking the “access isles,” increasing existing fines, and permitting photographic evidence of illegally parked vehicles be sent to local law enforcement.
- North Carolina joined 34 other states to create a Health Insurance Risk Pool (NCHIRP) that provides a safety net for medically uninsurable individuals.
- Ohio and Pennsylvania are each offering new state license plates with the MS logo. These specialty license plates raise awareness of MS, and the proceeds go to the Society. To order, drivers can contact their respective chapters.
- South Carolina passed legislation creating the Multiple Sclerosis Healthcare Access Study Committee to study how South Carolinians with MS receive care. It has laid the groundwork for health care solutions in the state.
For updates on these issues or to learn about advocacy success in your state, contact your local chapter of the National MS Society. Find a chapter.