Neurologists join forces with Society advocates on Capitol Hill.Over 200 advocates representing Americans with MS converged on Capitol Hill March 28 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's ninth annual Issues & Empowerment Forum. The advocates' numbers were stronger than ever this year because Society representatives were joined by 40 physicians from the American Academy of Neurology The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is a professional society for neurologists and neuroscientists. As a medical specialty society it was established in 1949 by A.B. Baker of the University of Minnesota to advance the art and science of neurology, and thereby promote the best . The Academy cosponsored this year's Forum. The day kicked off with a working breakfast where participants were addressed by Sen. Jim Jeffords
Ganske was born in New Hampton, Iowa, and he graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.A. in political science in 1972. (R-IA), and Rep. Henry Waxman Henry Arnold Waxman (born September 12, 1939 in Los Angeles, California) is an American politician. He has represented California's At-large congressional district (map) in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1975. (D-CA). Society advocates and Academy doctors then made visits to a grand total of 156 representatives and 84 senators. The advocates: * urged Congress to increase funding for MS-related research at the National Institutes of Health by 15%; * argued that the addition of Medicare prescription coverage is urgently needed, since each of the 3 drugs approved to treat MS costs $10,000 to $12,000 per year; * urged Congress to pass patient protection legislation containing guarantees of access to specialists and independent external reviews of treatment decisions by managed care organizations. "This collaboration shows how dedicated neurologists are to fighting this disease," said Susan Sanabria, vice president of the Society's Advocacy Programs. "When people with MS and people who treat MS show up together on the doorstep of Congress, that sends a powerful message." |
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