Society Awards 2010 Representatives and Senator of the Year and Congressional Staffer of the Year

During the 2011 Public Policy Conference, the National MS Society awarded its 2010 Representative of the Year awards to Representative William “Mac” Thornberry (TX-13) and James R. Langevin (RI-2), its 2010 Senator of the Year award to Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (PA), and its Congressional Staffer of the Year award to James “J.P.” Paluskiewicz, Legislative Director for Representative Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26). The Society thanks these federal legislators for their commitment to improving the lives of people affected by MS and looks forward to continuing to work with them during the 112th Congress.

Rep. Thornberry (TX-13) Receives the 2010 Representative of the Year award
at the PPC. Rep. Thornberry is joined by MS activists from Texas.

Representative William “Mac” Thornberry (TX-13) is an instrumental member of the House Multiple Sclerosis Caucus and has been a strong supporter of the Society’s mission since being elected to office. In 2010, he introduced the Part D Off-Label Prescription Parity Act (H.R. 5732), which would allow Medicare coverage of medication prescribed for an off-label use when such use is supported by peer-reviewed medical literature.

Rep. Langevin (RI-2) Receives the 2010 Representative of the Year award at the PPC.
Rep. Langevin is joined by MS activists from Rhode Island.

Congressman James R. Langevin (RI-2) has an incredibly strong track record of advocating and supporting benefits, programs, and services that help people with MS and other disabilities including: robust funding for and speedy reauthorization of the Lifespan Respite Care Program; advocating for provisions in health care reform legislation that would improve the lives of persons living with disabilities; and support of $15 million for multiple sclerosis research in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) in Fiscal Year 2011.

MS activists from Pennsylvania on Capitol Hill.

Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (PA) has been a long-standing supporter of the Society’s policy agenda and in the 112^th Congress, assumed Co-Chairmanship of the Senate’s Multiple Sclerosis Caucus. In 2010, Senator Casey supported increased funding for MS research in the CDMRP, increased funding for the Lifespan Respite Care Program and advancement of the National MS and Parkinson’s Disease Registry Act, now titled the National Neurological Disease Surveillance System. Senator Casey has also been the primary sponsor of the MS Awareness Week Resolution in the Senate.

Support MS Activists on Capitol Hill

Click here to support important advocacy of fellow MS activists! Last Wednesday, March 9, 350 MS activists representing every state in the country met with their federal legislators on Capitol Hill as part of the National MS Society's 20th annual Public Policy Conference. MS activists discussed three priority issues:

• Improved Access to Neurological Care (S. 597): Neurology is the only group of physicians who are responsible for coordinating overall patient care that are left out of the incentive in the Affordable Care Act and MS activists are seeking to correct that inequity. With nearly 75% of people living with MS depending on a neurologist for regular care of their condition, inclusion of neurologists is vital.

• Adult Day Achievement Center Enhancement Act (H.R. 883/S. 495): MS activists urge support of this legislation that would sustain and grow Adult Day programs by establishing a new grant program within the Administration on Aging that is specifically designed to support Adult Day programs targeting a younger population of people, such as those living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and similar diseases.

• MS Research in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP): MS activists have successfully advocated for a new federal funding avenue that thus far, has yielded approximately $13 million for MS research. MS activists are requesting $15 million in appropriations for MS research in the CDMRP in Fiscal Year 2012.

Support the work of fellow MS activists and urge your federal legislators to support these important policies that will improve the lives of people living with MS! Click here to take action today!

MS Activists on Capitol Hill - 20th Annual Public Policy Conference

The Minnesota Chapter Visiting a Senate Office

The Alabama - Mississippi Chapter in Front of the U.S. Capitol

MS Activists from California Meeting with Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9),
Sponsor of the Adult Day Achievement Center Enhancement Act (H.R. 883)