...August 23, 2010 - Feeling overwhelmed by prescription drug costs?
MS places a heavy burden not only on the finances of people affected, but also on their quality of life. The disease's costly therapies often force people to live from paycheck to paycheck and make impossible choices among the things they want and need. If this sounds familiar, Congress needs to hear from you.

The National MS Society needs your support to pass the Affordable Access to Prescription Medications Act, a bill designed to give some financial relief for people living with MS.

This legislation would cap monthly prescription drug costs; allow exemptions for fourth-tier specialty drugs, require Medicare to study the impact of drug cost-sharing and potentially lower co-payments for up to 10% of Americans with the highest prescription costs.

Contact your federal legislators to tell them your story and that it is necessary to pass the Affordable Access to Prescription Medications Act. Legislators need to realize that the out-of-pocket expenses for fourth-tier drugs are a burden to the hundreds of thousands of people living with MS every day.
 

...August 12, 2010 - New state budget cuts proposed as FMAP funding falls short
After much debate, Congress approved a $16 billion extension of FMAP funds for states and a $10 billion education jobs fund on August 10, but more state budget cuts are on the way in Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth is slated to receive $600 million in enhanced FMAP funds for public health and human services, which is at least $250 million short of the 2010-11 budget that was passed by the General Assembly.

Governor Ed Rendell announced a plan to cut an additional $198 million from the budget through a 1.9% across-the-board cut to programs and a $50 million reduction in basic education funds. The plan also includes $70 million in new revenue from a natural gas severance tax and $14 million in cuts to the legislature, courts and elected officials to make up a projected $282 million difference in the budget. The budget includes language holding the General Assembly to an October 1 deadline to pass a severance tax, although there is no agreement on the structure of the tax. It would go into effect on January 1.

Click here (.pdf) to see how the cuts break down by Department.
 

...August 4, 2010 - One step closer to FMAP funds
The U.S. Senate voted this morning to end the debate on a bill that would provide most of the additional federal Medicaid funds that state lawmakers anticipated in this year’s state budget.

The congressional measure will provide Pennsylvania with about $595 million in welfare funds – about 70 percent of the $850 million state officials had been counting on since the beginning of the year.

A final vote on the bill is expected to take place on Thursday. The U.S. Senate is scheduled to adjourn for the month on Friday.

Governor Rendell said during a conference call following the vote that he is “extremely gratified” that the bill is moving forward. He added that he expects it to be approved swiftly by both the U.S. Senate and then U.S. House of Representatives when that chamber returns to session.
 

...August 2, 2010 - Pennsylvania to begin offering health plan for people with pre-existing medical conditions.
As part of the national health insurance reform, Pennsylvania this week will open a high-risk insurance program for uninsured individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions, Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario said today.

"Full federal health reform is still three years away," Ario said. "In the meantime, we are doing everything we can for Pennsylvanians to have access to affordable, quality health care.

"Many uninsured people have been denied affordable coverage and care due to their health status. Health insurers will be prohibited from denying coverage or charging sick people more for insurance in 2014, but people need more options until we get to that point. So I am very pleased to announce that our high-risk plan, PA Fair Care, will be up and running later this week."

PA Fair Care, administered statewide through a contract with Highmark Blue Shield, offers a broad range of benefits, including preventive care, physician services, diagnostic testing, hospitalization, mental health services and prescription medications. Subsidized premiums are $283.20 a month, plus additional co-pays and coinsurance.

The program has initial funding to serve approximately 3,500 individuals. Eligible applicants will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, visit PAFairCare.com or call, toll-free, 1-888-767-7015. Applications will be available online after 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 4.

Eligibility information, answers to frequently-asked questions, program-related materials and logos are available at PAFairCare.com.
 

July 23, 2010 - 20th Anniversary of the ADA
On July 26, 1990, President George H. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure the civil rights of people with disabilities. This legislation established a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

The ADA has expanded opportunities for Americans with disabilities by reducing barriers and changing perceptions, increasing full participation in community life. However, the full promise of the ADA will only be reached if we remain focused and committed to our efforts for full implementations of ADA and to advocate for people living with disabilities.

On the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society celebrates and recognizes the progress that has been made by reaffirming the principals of equality and inclusion and recommitting our efforts to reach full ADA compliance.

Both the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate have issued resolutions (click here for House and here for Senate) in honor of this anniversary. Governor Ed Rendell has also written a proclamation for the occasion. (Note: all files are in PDF format.)
 

...July 19, 2010 - Pennsylvania’s 2010-11 budget cuts a wide range of services, while leaving revenue on the table
Pennsylvania's 2010-11 budget sets state spending at $28.043 billion, which includes $25.3 billion in state dollars and $2.75 billion in state fiscal relief provided by the federal Recovery Act. The spending plan provides a slight increase over the 2009-10 budget, but still uses fewer state dollars than were spent in 2006-07.

Funding is increased to meet mandated expenditures for public health care and corrections and to maintain investments in education, but the budget offsets those increases with cuts to numerous other services, including early childhood services, human service programs, environmental protection, agricultural programs, libraries and state parks. Budget cuts are also expected to add to job losses in the public and private sector.

What does federal FMAP funding mean for Pennsylvanians?
The 2010-11 budget relies on $850 million in enhanced federal FMAP funding for public health and human services that is in jeopardy. Legislation to secure the funding has stalled in the U.S. Congress. If Congress fails to approve the additional funding, Governor Rendell and state legislative leaders will have to identify further cuts to critical human services including public health care, child protective services, mental health/mental retardation services and domestic violence counseling.

Contact Jennifer Strayer at jennifer.strayer@nmss.org for more information on specific programs.
 

...June 17, 2010 - New DOT rule extends disability protections to passenger ships and boats
Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced the first federal rule to specifically provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protections to people with disabilities who travel on boats and ships. The action comes as the 20th anniversary of the ADA approaches on July 26.

Read more.
 

...June 16, 2010 - Rendell appoints Health Care Reform Implementation Advisory Committee
The Pennsylvania Office of Health Care Reform announced appointments to a new external advisory group that will help implement many of the key elements of the federal health-care reform act. The federal health-care reform act relies on states to implement important components such as the high risk pool and the insurance exchange. To ensure that the expertise of key stakeholders is an integral part of the reform process, Governor Ed Rendell created the Commonwealth Health Care Reform Implementation Advisory Committee by executive order on May 19.

The committee consists of insurance industry executives, hospital representatives, medical professionals, large and small purchasers, unions, health and budget policy experts and consumers. The advisory committee will identify best practices in health care and provide feedback to the administration on its findings, recommendations and strategic plans. The appointment of the committee will help ensure the smoothest possible implementation between now and 2014, when health-care reform goes into effect. The advisory panel will hold its first meeting June 30 in Harrisburg. Each of the four legislative caucuses will select two members to serve on the committee.

Read more...
 

...June 4, 2010 - Help restore Medicaid relief
MS activists have been successful in helping to prevent a devastating cut to physicians participating in Medicare through 2011. Legislation currently being considered in Congress fortunately prevents this cut, but another vital provision must be restored. Call your U.S. senators today and urge them to restore a six-month extension of increased federal Medicaid assistance to states. Enter your zip code and you will be provided talking points. Use the toll-free number 1-888-340-6521 to be connected with your U.S. Senators.

Medicaid provides health and long-term care coverage to more than 59 million Americans, including many people living with disabilities. With the rise in unemployment during troubled economic times, more Americans rely on Medicaid to help cover their health-care costs. At the same time of enrollment growth, state budget pressures swell as revenues decline.

To help avoid drastic cuts to health services, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed by Congress in 2009 provided significant federal assistance to state-run Medicaid programs. This fiscal relief prevented harmful budget cuts, saved jobs and protected the health-care coverage of those in need. The economic situation remains dire, however, and since states are currently planning their FY 2011 budgets, Congress must take immediate action to extend federal Medicaid assistance.

There is great support for extending federal Medicaid assistance. In March, the Senate passed a six-month extension of the Recovery Act's enhanced federal Medicaid match. The House just passed a similar bill, but the Medicaid provision was removed. It is up to the Senate to quickly correct this omission.

Call your U.S. senators today and urge them to immediately restore and pass the six-month extension of the increased federal Medicaid assistance. Use the toll-free number 1-888-340-6521 to be connected with your U.S. Senators.
 

...May 3, 2010 - Legislators come out to Walk MS
Walk MS 2010 drew crowds of thousands of walkers and volunteers over the past two weekends. It also drew local legislators to come speak. Senators and congress people came out to let our participants know that we all need to speak up for change and that they are always open to suggestions and concerns from their constituents.

 
Congressman Bob Brady pledged his ongoing support for people living with MS at the Walk MS event at the Philadelphia Art Museum on May 2.