Activism on the move.MS activists from Washington state to Washington, DC, are mobilizing online to make social and political changes that will be felt by everyone living with MS. Last November the Society launched an aggressive petition drive to increase federal funding for MS research. It spread widely through mass e-mails, Web stickers (interactive banners that can be added to personal Web sites), podcasts, and blogs. The more than 100,000 signatures collected gave MS activists significant leverage when they discussed the issue on Capitol Hill in March during the Society's 2007 Public Policy Conference. Online activism helped win several recent victories, including: * Legislation formally establishing the Department of Veterans Affairs' MS Centers of Excellence and effectively protecting their funding for the future; * Revised Medicare policy allowing physicians to prescribe the proper mobility device and a new reimbursement Reimbursement Payment made to someone for out-of-pocket expenses has incurred. fee schedule ensuring the supply of powered wheelchairs meets the demand; * A landmark new respite care Respite Care Short-term or temporary care of a few hours or weeks of the sick or disabled to provide relief, or respite, to the regular caregiver, usually a family member. Notes: law that will eventually authorize $289 million in state grants over five years, making quality respite care more accessible to family caregivers A family caregiver is a person who manages or provides direct assistance to a loved one who needs help with day to day activities because of a chronic condition, cognitive limitations, or aging. of people with MS and other health conditions--regardless of age, disability, or family situation. Online activism at the state level The Society's New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. Chapter recently mobilized MS online activists to keep exiting New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of governor George Pataki George Elmer Pataki (born June 24, 1945) is an American politician who was the 57th Governor of New York serving from January 1995 until January 1, 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party and was seen as a possible 2000 and 2008 Presidential candidate. from changing the Medicaid spousal spou·sal adj. 1. Of or relating to marriage; nuptial. 2. Of or relating to a spouse. n. Marriage; nuptials. Often used in the plural. refusal policy and cutting coverage for people living with MS. P.J. Weiner, coordinator of Information and Referral for the New York City Chapter, told InsideMS that, while there is no substitute for face-to-face visits with representatives, "online advocacy is the quickest, most effective way to reach key decision-makers, especially on time-sensitive issues." Being an MS activist has never been easier. Explore the new online tools, and sign up at nationalmssociety.org/advocacy. |
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