As the legislative session progresses, I want to provide you with another update so you know how the Legislature is dealing with the issues impacting the MS community. The budget remains the most pressing issue but legislators were rewarded this week with a positive revenue forecast, giving more leeway to budget writers as they figure out how to balance the budget while protecting important services like health care and education. We’ll be watching for the draft budget to come out in the next week or so, though it’s too early to say how our priority programs (long term care, Basic Health, Disability Lifeline, and Medicaid) will fare.
Unfortunately, our bill to limit out of pocket costs died in the Ways and Means Committee last week. A fiscal note was placed on it at the last minute (after our Day of Activism) and that made our work much more challenging. Thanks to many of you who reached out to your legislators to move the bill forward. We are looking at an alternative measure to achieve the same result and we are optimistic that in the end, we will find a way to limit prescription drug costs. Your presence at the Day of Activism has helped to remind legislators that they must find a way to deal with the high cost of health care for people with a chronic disease – so thank you for putting a face to the MS community. Our bill received some positive attention in the press – click here and here for those articles. If you look closely at the KIRO 7 segment, you’ll see MS Activists Dr. Eugene May and Lenita Fryxell at the 0:50 mark, waiting their turn to testify in favor of the bill.
On a positive note, legislation to create a health insurance marketplace moved out of the House this past week. We ran an Action Alert encouraging legislators to support the bill and we’ll be continuing to push for its passage through the Senate. On Monday, I’ll be in Olympia testifying in favor of the bill, reminding legislators of the need to promote more affordable and comprehensive health insurance for people living with MS. We are optimistic that the bill will provide protections for people with MS and other chronic diseases, but it’s too early to know for sure so stay tuned. Legislators have until March 8 to pass the bill before the legislative session is scheduled to wrap-up. If you haven’t already, use the Action Alert to send a message to your legislator, reminding them that health insurance exchanges will benefit the MS community.
To continue your advocacy efforts, I encourage you to attend the local “Town Halls” that many (but not all) legislators are hosting this weekend. Ask the offices of your legislators if they are hosting a town hall or look at this list. If you go, be sure to wear your orange scarf and don’t be afraid to ask legislators what they will do to protect services for people with MS and other chronic diseases. Ask them if they believe we should make cuts to long-term care. This is a great opportunity to introduce your friends and self-help group members to advocacy. Let me know how it goes! And share your story – tweet about it, post on Facebook, Facebook, or Facebook or just tell your family over dinner why advocacy is important to you.
And there’s more you can do to help raise awareness of MS. The Greater Northwest Chapter’s MS Ambassador program reaches out into the community to educate, inspire, and build awareness of the MS movement. Local Sam’s Clubs are raising money for us and we need people to run a booth on the following times. If you are interested in helping out or signing up to be an MS Ambassador, please email Lauren Spero, our volunteer manager-extraordinaire.
Friday, February 24
Auburn: 12 – 4pm
Renton: 12 – 4pm
Saturday, February 25
Auburn: 12 – 4pm
Renton: 12 – 4pm
Friday, March 2
Auburn: 12 – 4pm
Renton: 12 – 4pm
Saturday, March 3
Renton: 12 – 4pm
Finally, to stay up to date on our advocacy work, keep checking back here. Members of our state-wide Activism Committee will also be providing updates to the blog so be sure to check back on a regular basis. You can also visit our federal advocacy blog to stay informed of our efforts in Congress.
That’s it for now – thanks for your work in moving the MS community forward.
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