Our Day of Activism in Olympia....Success!

Over 65 MS activists descended on the Legislature last week to talk to lawmakers about the importance of accessible transportation and disability parking for people with MS. Despite the cold, volunteers came from all over the state and met with half the Legislature - an incredible feat! It was an inspiring day and made me so proud to be a member of the MS community. 

Activists met with legislators to talk about House Bill 2463 - an effort to crack down on illegal users of disability parking placards that would restrict the ability of people with MS to get free and unlimited parking. Because of our advocacy, lawmakers removed the restrictions on parking privileges for people with MS and other mobility impairments. The bill moved out of the House Transportation Committee last week and should move forward.

Lisa and Martin Boon

Sue Dahlin-Morales meeting with Senator Andy Hill's staff

Cermit Rickey on the Capitol steps

Jane Foy and Nora Gibson

Veronica Chase discussing our priority issues.

Additionally, volunteers advocated for additional funding for accessible transportation. Too many people with MS are unable to get around their communities and the legislature should increase funding for accessible transportation (also known as the special needs transportation fund). While the legislature isn't expected to pass a new transportation package anytime soon, we will be working with them to ensure they don't forget about the transportation needs of their constituents who live with MS and other disabilities.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler (photo courtesy of Martin Boon)

One highlight of the day - Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler joined us to provide a quick update on the Affordable Care Act. Commissioner Kreidler is a long-time supporter of the MS community and is always a favorite speaker at the Day of Activism.

Thanks to all the Activists who attended the Day of Activism. And for all those who weren't able to attend, you can still make a difference. Email your legislators today and ask them to fund accessible transportation - it's not too late!

MS Activist to speak out about clinical trials

MS Activist Jonathan Sari just let me know that he will be speaking about the importance of clinical trials at an upcoming panel. His participation reminds me of the many ways that people with MS can be activists even when they aren't speaking to elected officials. Spreading awareness and encouraging others to take action are vital steps in strengthening the MS movement and I applaud Jonathan for his efforts.

His panel, to be held the evening of January 30th at Seattle's Town Hall, also features MS researcher Dr. Mariko Kita of Virginia Mason. For more information and registration information, visit this page.

Participation in clinical trials is incredibly important to help move MS research forward. Clinical trials often need hundreds of patients willing to see if new treatments are safe and effective. To facilitate this effort, the Society maintains a database of clinical trials that are recruiting people with MS. To learn more about these trials, visit this Society's webpage.

Jonathan will be joining us in Olympia this year to speak to legislators at our annual Day of Activism on February 5. If you see him there, be sure to ask about his participation on the panel. And don't forget - it's not too late to register for the Day of Activism!

Washington Day of Activism - it's coming soon....

Just a reminder that our annual Day of Activism in Olympia is soon upon us. MS Activists will be coming from all over Washington to raise awareness of MS at the state legislature on February 5 and we hope you will join us. Registration is still open - you can learn more details and sign up here. If you are new to advocacy but still want to attend, don't worry. We have two teleconferences planned for you so you can get up to speed. Sign up for those calls: Jan. 22 and Jan. 29.

The Day of Activism is one of my most favorite days of the year. When I took this job, I did it because I knew the stories of people with MS have the power to change laws. The Day of Activism is the day when this really happens. The real stories of the MS community are told to people in power and we make a difference.

Three years ago, together, we passed a law that allows more MS specialists to practice in our state. Two years ago, we stopped people with MS from losing their health care. Last year, we made sure everyone with MS has access to affordable and comprehensive health care.  This year, we will continue that tradition and make it easier for people with MS to get to where they need to go.

Will you join us?

The Affordable Care Act – Do you know what it is doing for you already?

Not much has been said about the Affordable Care Act since its passage which baffles and saddens me. In my opinion, every member of Congress and the President should mention all of these benefits in every speech. There is much to be proud of in this piece of legislation. The Affordable Care Act is not perfect, but it’s a place to start in protecting Americans who do not have access to health insurance and those who are underinsured. So much has been implemented already and there is much more to come in 2014!

As of Sept 2010, these benefits have been implemented.

- Pre-Existing Insurance Plans (PCIP) offering coverage for previously uninsurable
- Lifetime caps eliminated
- A policyholder cannot be dropped from coverage because he/she becomes ill
- Annual out-of-pocket limits
- No co-pays for preventative services (vaccinations, mammogram, annual exams, etc…)
- No denials based on pre-existing conditions for children
- Adult children can maintain coverage on the parent’s plan until age 26
- 35% tax credit for small business to encourage employers to provide health insurance
- $250 rebate for Medicare recipients in the ‘donut hole’

What will the Affordable Care Act do for you in 2014?

- Eliminate discrimination due to pre-existing conditions
- Competitive health Insurance exchanges making health insurance available to all Americans
- Premium subsidies making health insurance affordable to individuals and families
- Expanded tax credits for small business to encourage employers to provide health insurance
- Medicare ‘donut hole’ eliminated

It’s now up to states to implement the center piece of the Affordable Care Act – health insurances exchanges - and the National MS Society is watching the creation of these exchanges closely to make sure they work for people with MS. The exchanges may be challenged by some legislators and candidates running for election in November. It is up to us to keep the pressure on our state and federal representatives so they know that this bill HELPS PEOPLE WITH MS. And we VOTE!

Have any of you directly benefited from the Affordable Care Act already? I know I have!

Please join us at the Day of Activism on January 30th in Olympia. Register at http://wasmain.nationalmssociety.org/site/Calendar?id=270894&view=Detail

Remember – It’s Time for Action! Washington

State legislators will be meeting with the MS community on January 30, will you be there?

The MS community is coming together in Olympia on January 30 to share our voices with state legislators and we want you to join us. This is the day for us to bring the stories of people living with multiple sclerosis to our state's elected officials, reminding them of the responsibility they have to meet the needs of our citizens, especially those with MS.

Sign up online or call 1-800-344-4867.

Please mark your calendar and make plans to attend this important day. If you haven't joined us for a Day of Activism in the past, or want to learn more about the issues we will discuss with legislators, we ask that you also participate in a conference call on Tuesday, January 17.

People with MS are at risk of losing health care benefits and we need to show up in order to convince legislators that they shouldn't be balancing the budget on the backs of people with MS and other disabilities. If we aren't talking with our legislators, the needs of the MS community won't be heard.
Sign up to join us in Olympia

For those who want to help, but cannot attend, we still want to hear from you. We are collecting stories from people in the MS community to share with legislators and we need your story. Tell us what you think legislators need to hear about your life with MS. Your short, 100 hundred word message to your legislators will support the efforts of all those who will be there in person. We know not everyone can travel to Olympia and there are powerful stories out there – make sure your thoughts are heard!

We look forward to seeing you in Olympia!

How did the special session turn out for people with MS?

Well, there is good news and bad news about the special session that ended last week in Olympia...

The good news? The legislature didn’t do much of anything, which means that the programs that we have been working to protect were NOT put on the chopping block yet. Legislators did talk about reform and how to move forward in balancing the budget, but they weren’t able to agree. Making these drastic changes is not a simple process.

The bad news? Since the legislature wasn’t able to agree on much, the fight to save Basic Health, Disability Lifeline, Medicaid, and long-term care programs is going to start again in January.

Many people living with MS and other chronic diseases rely on these pieces of the public safety net to stay in their homes, live independently, and have access to healthcare. Up until recently, Washington’s assistance programs were a genuine source of relief for our community. The last few years have seen cut after cut and even near elimination of some of these crucial programs.

The MS community has many partners in the legislature who understand the challenges of the chronic disease and disability communities and consistently fight to protect safety net programs. As referred to in a prior post, Senator Brown and Senator Keiser are helping us fight our fight, along with many others in Olympia. It is up to us – the MS Activists – to keep up the pressure and keep talking about our issues with our legislators and the public.

On the other hand, many of our legislators and much of the general public do not understand what it is like to live with a chronic illness and do not see a need for these expensive programs. It is up to us - the MS Activists - to educate those who may support cutting or eliminating these programs. Write letters to the editor, talk to your friends, email, call, and meet with your state legislators. If you aren’t sure who your representatives are, click here http://apps.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/default.aspx to find out.

Or join us as we bring the MS community to the state legislature for the Day of Activism on Monday, January 30th! Please plan on attending and register at http://wasmain.nationalmssociety.org/site/Calendar?id=270894&view=Detail. The more activists we have at the Capitol on the 30th – the stronger our voices will be.

Remember – It’s Time for Action Washington!

How do you feel about how the legislature is handling the budget crisis?


Cheers,

Holly