Subject: ACTION ALERT, SB-0293, "Circuit Breakers"

From:

Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2003 10:24:46 EDT

Good Morning Advocates,

Our very important MS legislation that provides funding for needy people with MS to get their MS prescription medications (commonly known as Circuit Breakers),SB-0293, is presently in the Revenue Committee and ready for a hearing and to be voted on in the next few days.  It is time for us to make those phone calls.  Please call at least one of the Revenue Committee legislators below, whether you are a constituent or not.  Identify yourself as a person committed to help people with MS throughout the State of Illinois.

Of particular importance are Rep. Beaubien and Rep. Sullivan who voted "Present" the first time Circuit Breaker legislation was in the Revenue Committee - please let them know personally or their staff know how important it is people with MS receive their medications.  I am happy to report that Representatives Molaro, Biggins, Currie, Hannig, Lang, Pankau, and Turner voted "Yes" the first time around, but let us still call these legislators to ensure their vote.  This will be the last committee vote before going to the Illinois House for a full member vote and then on to the governor to be signed into law.  Below are talking points to assist you in your phone calls.

REVENUE COMMITTEE

Rep. Robert S. Molaro, 21st District, Chair, Chicago/Southwest Side/Chicago
Chicago Office - 773-838-1212; Springfield Office - 217-782-5280

Rep. Mark Beaubien, Jr., 52nd District, Lake County/Wauconda area
Wauconda Office - 847-487-5252; Springfield Office - 217-782-7012

Rep. Bob Biggins, 41st District, DuPage County/Elmhurst area
Elmhurst Office - 630-941-1278; Springfield Office - 217-782-6578

Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, 25th District, Chicago/Hyde Park area
Chicago Office - 773-667-0550; Springfield Office - 217-782-8121

Rep. Greg Hannig, 98th District, Montgomery County/Gillespie area
Gillespie Office - 217-839-2859; Springfield Office - 217-782-8071

Rep. Lou Lang, 16th District, Cook County/Skokie area
Skokie Office - 847-673-1131; Springfield Office - 217-782-1252

Rep. Carole Pankau, 45th District, DuPage County/Bloomingdale area
Bloomingdale Office - 630-582-0390; Springfield Office - 217-782-8158

Rep. Ed Sullivan, Jr., 51st District, Lake County/Mundelein area
Mundelein Office - 847-566-5115; Springfield Office - 217-782-3696

Rep. Arthur Turner, 9th District, Chicago/Westside
Chicago Office - 773-273-4700; Springfield Office - 217-782-8116

Below is a sample script and five reasons why we need to add MS drugs to the Circuit Breaker bill.

Representative _______________, I am  (state your name) calling to ask your help to increase access to prescription drugs for people with Multiple Sclerosis.  MS is a progressive and often disabling disease that can in many cases be slowed by the use of disease modifying drugs.  Unfortunately, these drugs are expensive.  Many who could benefit from these drugs  and medications which treat the sometimes disabling symptoms don't receive them because they do not have prescription drug insurance coverage.  As a result, the disease progresses causing increasingly greater disability until full time nursing care is required. 

We are asking the Revenue Committee and the General Assembly for help by expanding the Illinois Pharmaceutical Assistance Program to cover prescription drugs for MS. Please vote  in support of Senate Bill 0293.  Can you help us?

If yes, Thank you so much."  If unsure, Can someone from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society call you?"  If no, "Can I ask why you are opposed?

Additional talking points you can use:

Five reasons why Multiple Sclerosis needs to be added to Circuit Breaker. 

1. People 65 years and older or disabled, receiving Medicare and diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, would benefit from the program. 

2. More people with Multiple Sclerosis would have access to the drugs that reduce the risk of disability.  

3. Access to these drugs, could increase the number of people with Multiple Sclerosis (many reliant on state benefits) returning to the work force.

4. The availability of drugs that slow the progression and treat the often disabling symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis should decrease the number of people accessing long-term care services as well as: 

a. Ease the burden on these already limited state services

b. Save the state of Illinois revenue

c. Allow people to live with dignity in a community environment with their families and friends

5. People with Multiple Sclerosis like the general population have the right to be as healthy as possible. This promotes healthier families and better communities.

And a big thank you in advance for your phone calls!

Yolanda Treiguts, Chair
Advocacy/Government Relations Committee