National MS Society 2017 Public Policy Conference

Check out the conference agenda!

• Capitol Hill 101, Friday March 3, 3-4 p.m. ET (2-3 p.m. CT, 1-2 p.m. MT, 12-1 p.m. PT, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Alaska, 10-11 a.m. Hawaii): If you are new to the Conference or are seeking a refresher, register for this training to learn helpful tips for visiting elected officials on Capitol Hill. 
  • View the recording here.
• Conference & Priority Preparation, For Everyone! Wednesday March 8, 3-4 p.m. ET (2-3 p.m. CT, 1-2 p.m. MT, 12-1 p.m. PT, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Alaska, 10-11 a.m. Hawaii): Register for this training to learn about the priorities you'll take to Capitol Hill and ask any questions. 
  • View the recording here.

Download the free mobile app for iPhone and Android to manage your schedule, learn more about your elected officials, view maps and more. Search for "MS Activist" in your device’s app store or marketplace, or download the app at http://ntl.MS/app-activism.

Learn About Your Members of Congress and Prepare for Your Meetings:

• U.S. House of Representatives Committees, Caucuses and Support of PPC Issues
• U.S. Senate Committees, Caucuses and Support of PPC Issues
• Hill Visit Preparation Sheet: This will help you know logistics for your meeting, background about your member of Congress and who's saying what in each meeting.

Scheduling Capitol Hill Visits:

• Please enter all scheduled Capitol Hill visits online: Each state has a designated point-person managing the scheduling for that state’s Capitol Hill visits.
• Sample Hill Visit Request: Some congressional offices require a formal visit request.

During Capitol Hill visits, MS activists will urge Congress to support:

1. MS Research Funding
   • MS CDMRP Leave Behind
   • MS CDMRP Talking Points
   • Neuro Data Funding Leave Behind
   • Neuro Data Funding Talking Points
   • NIH Leave Behind
   • NIH Talking Points
   • See if your Representative signed the Research Dear Colleague Letters
2. Affordable, Quality Health Coverage
   • Affordable, Quality Health Coverage Leave Behind
   • Affordable, Quality Health Coverage Talking Points
3. Access to MS Medications
   • Access to MS Medications Leave Behind
   • Access to MS Medications Talking Points

Check out all of the amazing photographs of MS activists at the Public Policy Conference and on Capitol Hill. The password to enter the photo gallery is NMSSDC 2017. (NOTE: Please enter a space between "NMSSDC" and "2017" in the password.)

Reimbursement: After the event and before April 28, 2017, email your expense form and receipt back up to NMSSPPC@nmss.org. Itemized receipt back up is required for any expense exceeding $25.00. Meals that are not part of the meeting agenda will be reimbursed at a reasonable rate not to exceed $65.00 per day and alcohol is NOT reimbursable.

Complete Conference Evaluation Survey: Your feedback helps us continue to make the Public Policy Conference experience extraordinary. Complete the evaluation through this link.

Join the 2017 PPC Post Call: 

• Listen to the recording to learn more about our impact and next steps on the priority issues.

After Your Capitol Hill Meetings:

• Send a Thank You to Your Congressional Offices: This is a great time to thank and reconnect with congressional staff. Feel free to use this sample "thank you" follow up email. To see if your Representative signed on to the House Dear Colleague research letters, click here.
• One Person Per Meeting Should Complete this Online Feedback Form: Discuss how your members felt about the legislative issues, mention any personal connections to MS you discovered and let us know about any follow-up that needs to be done.