HARTFORD, Conn. – For the 15^th year, MS Activists will gather in Connecticut’s Capitol Building to meet with their local legislators – all in the name of creating change for the more than 6,500 people affected by multiple sclerosis in our state.

“This event is an opportunity for people with MS, their family members and other advocates to meet with state legislators and inform them of how important critical legislation is now,” said Susan Raimondo, senior director of advocacy and programs, at the Connecticut Chapter.

The National MS Society advocates at the federal, state and local levels for increased MS research, access to quality health care, disability rights, long-term services and supports, and access to basic needs like year-round energy assistance, transportation and accessible housing.

“For 2016, our public policy priorities include strengthening health insurance provider network adequacy laws, expanding access to medication, and supporting centers for independent living,” said Raimondo.

Society staff and advocates will work to address these priorities through garnering support of legislators for the following bills:

• SB433, An Act Concerning Standards and Requirements for Health Carriers’ Provider Networks and Contracts between Health Carriers and Participating Providers. This bill will implement the recommendations of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners regarding health insurance carriers’ adequacy of health provider networks and contracting between the carriers and providers.
• SB 34, An Act Concerning Dispensation and Coverage of a Prescribed Drug for a Chronic Disease During Certain Adverse Determination Reviews, and Decreasing the Time Frames for Urgent Care Adverse Determination Review Requests. This bill would protect patients with chronic diseases during their insurers' internal grievance process and require that the insurer cover the prescribed drug during the course of the internal appeal.

Advocates will also express how proposed budget cuts to Connecticut’s five Centers for Independent Living will not only impact services to hundreds of people with disabilities annually, but also significantly limit the ability to fully implement other programs and services directly related to nursing home transition, aging and disability resources, housing assistance, pre-employment services, youth transition and transportation.

In 2015, the Society worked with local government to implement key legislation to help those living with MS live their best lives, including the removal of snow from accessible parking spaces and addressing the limitations of the Connecticut Off-Label Prescription law.

For more information on the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, or MS Action Day, visit ctfightsMS.org.