Subject: HB1436, Adding Multiple Sclerosis to the Pharmaceutical Assistance Act

From:

Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2003 12:31:03 EST

Hello Advocates,

This is an urgent ACTION ALERT!!!!!  We need everyone (AND I MEAN EVERYONE) on our database to call their Illinois House Representative.  If you need your representative's phone number, here is the link to get your representative's telephone number:  http://www.elections.state.il.us/DLS/Pages/DLSAddressCrit.asp

Why is your call so important, some people with MS need help getting the medication they need for MS, and we have a big chance right now to help.  HB1436 will provide that help to MS people in Illinois who fall between the cracks.  Again, we need everyone to call.  Don't let people with MS and their families down, CALL NOW!

Also, another point don't be bashful, feel free to call any state representative anywhere in the state and have your family and friends call too.  Truly, now is the time for action.

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 General Assembly for help by expanding the Illinois Pharmaceutical Assistance Program to cover prescription drugs for MS. Please vote  in support of House Bill 1436.  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.

Everyone get back to me to let me know how it is going, AND I MEAN EVERYONE.  If you need help, we are here to assist you in making these important phone calls.  And, I would be negligent if I did not give my appreciation to Maureen Howard who stood in for me while I was on vacation and got us to this point where we can give some real help to people with MS.

Let's do it.  And a big thank you in advance for your phone calls!

Yolanda Treiguts, Chair
Advocacy/Government Relations Committee