On Wednesday, March 3, hundreds of MS activists from across the country will meet with their federal legislators on Capitol Hill as part of the National MS Society's annual Public Policy Conference. These important visits are an essential component of the Society's year-long and constant mission to advance public policy that will improve the lives of those living with MS and other chronic conditions.
Take action today and write your members of Congress to support fellow MS activists so that our collective voice is heard.
MS activists will be discussing three priority issues on Capitol Hill:
• MS Research Funding in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP): Emerging evidence indicates a potential link between combat service and an increased incidence of MS. MS activists have been successful in opening a new funding stream for MS research within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), receiving $5 million in FY 2009 and $4.5 million in FY 2010. Ask your members of Congress to support a $15 million appropriation for MS research within the CDMRP by signing the Dear Colleague letter circulated by Congressmen Russ Carnahan (MO-3rd) and Michael Burgess, MD (TX-26th) and Senators Sherrod Brown (OH) and Jim Bunning (KY).
Take action today and write your members of Congress to support fellow MS activists so that our collective voice is heard.
MS activists will be discussing three priority issues on Capitol Hill:
• MS Research Funding in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP): Emerging evidence indicates a potential link between combat service and an increased incidence of MS. MS activists have been successful in opening a new funding stream for MS research within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), receiving $5 million in FY 2009 and $4.5 million in FY 2010. Ask your members of Congress to support a $15 million appropriation for MS research within the CDMRP by signing the Dear Colleague letter circulated by Congressmen Russ Carnahan (MO-3rd) and Michael Burgess, MD (TX-26th) and Senators Sherrod Brown (OH) and Jim Bunning (KY).
• National MS and Parkinson's Disease Registries Act: A national MS surveillance system will help ascertain the true incidence and prevalence rates of MS nationwide, which is needed to faciliate research into potential environmental and genetic factors associated with MS. Ask your members of Congress to co-sponsor the National MS and Parkinson's Disease Registries Act (H.R.1362/S.1273).
• Full Funding of Lifespan Respite: Respite care services are vital to ensuring quality home-based care for people living with MS. The Lifespan Respite Care Act was enacted in 2006, but minimal funding has been appropriated over the past three years. Ask your member to support full funding for Lifespan Respite in FY 2011 in the amount of $94.81 million. Your Representative can signal his/her support by signing the Lifespan Respite Dear Colleague letter being circulated by Congressmen Jim Langevin (RI-2) and Lee Terry (NE-2).
Take action today to reinforce our message.
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