Update on Defense Appropriation for Multiple Sclerosis Research

Discussion Scheduled for Later This Fall

Congress is heading home for the August recess, leaving a decision on the Defense appropriation for multiple sclerosis research funding to wait until they return. Before leaving, Congressional leaders reached an agreement to address the issue later this fall. Thanks to the help of your many calls, e-mails, and letters to the editor.

Congressman Russ Carnahan (MO) led the effort to keep this issue alive. When the House and Senate complete the Defense appropriations bill together in a conference meeting later this fall, MS research will be a main topic of discussion.

While not a guarantee that the funding will be granted, this is a major victory for MS activists. For months you have visited and called you legislators, enlisted the help of your friends and family, and invested a great deal of faith in the pursuit of this new hope for MS research. Your work has now put us one big step closer to realizing the goal of increased funding for MS research.

A federal appropriation for MS research through the Office of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) will help move us closer to a world free of MS. It is imperative that the Defense department study the causes and treatments for MS to help the more than 25,000 veterans and the approximately 400,000 other Americans living with this disease.

We will continue to keep you updated. As the Senate debates the appropriations bill next month and the conference between the two chambers follows, this issue will again need your support. Thank you for your dedication and enjoy the short victory before we begin again.