Monday, July 30, 2012

Senator Murray raises awareness of MS

In a recent press conference discussing the debt, Senator Patty Murray (Wash.) talked of the struggles her family faced growing up because of the impact of her father’s MS.  Her stay-at-home mom had to not only be the caregiver to seven children, but not to her husband as well AND become the breadwinner. 

Senator Murray is a member of the MS Caucus and a supporter of many of the National MS Society's priority issues.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Interested in how the federal health care law will affect women?

"Health Reform Has Washington Women Covered" Workshops

There's a new health reform law that will give women better access to the health care you need at a price you can afford. You can learn more at an upcoming workshop in your community. You'll learn how the health reform law is already working in our state, the benefits & protectons on the way, and how a recent Supreme Court decision impacts the law. 

Seattle/Tacoma - Tuesday, July 10th, 6:30- 8:00 PM
Highline Community College, Building 8, Mt. Olympus Conference Room
South 240th Street & Pacific Highway South, Des Moines
RSVP: Maha Jahshan (maha@weareoneamerica.org206-452-8408)

Everett - Thursday, July 19th, 6:30- 8:00 PM 
Everett Community College, Gray Wolf Hall
2000 Tower Street, Everett
RSVP: Courtney Normand (
courtney.normand@ppvotesnw.org425.870.9688 )

Yakima - Thursday, July 19th, 6:30- 8:00 PM
Planned Parenthood Health Center
1117 N. Tieton, Yakima
RSVP: Jen Ham (jen.ham@ppvotesnw.org509.834.3990

Please RSVP to join us, or to let us know you'll need a language interpreter, childcare, or disability accommodation.  Don't see your community on the list? Let us know and we may bring a future workshop to you.  

Looking forward to seeing you at a workshop soon! 

Monday, July 2, 2012

Should health insurance plans be required to cover MS drugs?

Insurers in Washington are looking for ways to cut the cost of their individual plans. One option is to remove brand name drug coverage. Premera did that in its Lifewise catastrophic plan a few years ago, and when Regence and Group Health tried to counter by doing the same, the Insurance Commissioner's office stepped in to say that access to at least some brand name drugs must be available for those that need them.

To learn more about this trend, check out this recent article that cites the high cost of MS drugs as a reason why people need insurance coverage.