North Carolina Saves Week

Feb. 24 - March 2: Build Wealth, Not Debt

Recently, the Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the National MS Society participated in the North Carolina Assets for Persons with Disabilities Project. Through this Project, we have been asked to share information about a NC savings initiative. Did you know that the US Department of Commerce recently reported that “the savings rate fell into negative territory at minus 0.5 percent?” Americans not only spent all of their after-tax income last year, but they had to dip into previous savings or increase borrowing.

Are you saving? If so, BE COUNTED! Join NCSaves!
NCSaves is a campaign coordinated by a statewide coalition of nonprofit, corporate, and government groups. The coalition, chaired by State Treasurer Richard Moore, includes the IDA and Asset Building Collaborative of North Carolina, the United Way of North Carolina , NC Cooperative Extension, FDIC, EITC Carolinas, Federal Reserve, the North Carolina Bankers Association , financial institutions, community groups and religious organizations. The coalition works together to help individuals and families save and build wealth. Through information, advice, and encouragement, we assist those who wish to pay down debt, build an emergency fund, save for a home, save for an education, or save for retirement. To date NCSaves has over 3,200 savers!

If you're committed to saving or willing to start now, join us by enrolling in NC Saves this week. You'll be joining thousands of other committed savers who choose to be counted. Your commitment will make North Carolina and the nation a place where saving is valued again. Just click here and enroll now or learn more! When you enroll you automatically become eligible to win one of many $50 and $100 savings bonds. Savings Bonds generously donated by the following financial partners: Asheville Savings Bank, Capital Bank, Generations Credit Union, Mountain 1st Bank, RBC, SunTrust & Wachovia.

*If you do not currently have a savings vehicle and would like guidance through financial education, please visit the website for NCSaves coordinator in your area.

Let's show the nation that North Carolinians living with MS are committed to saving and building wealth!

SSA Suspends Potentially Harmful Rule Change

Comments submitted by the MS community were successful in preventing a potentially harmful new Social Security policy. The Social Security Administration (SSA) suspended a proposed rule change that would have made the disability determination appeals process more difficult for people living with MS to win a disability appeal.

Of most concern was the change that closed the record for submitting evidence five days prior to a claimant's hearing with a judge during the disability appeals process. That rule would have put an undue burden on people filing for disability who have no control over the promptness of their healthcare providers' records and cooperation with SSA.

Yielding to pressure from advocacy organizations, including the Society, and from members of Congress, SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue notified Congress on January 29 that SSA is suspending the proposed rule change. SSA reported that more than 500 comments were submitted, with close to unanimous criticism of the proposed rule, in particular, the restrictions on submission of evidence. The Society also participated in a meeting in early January with the Commissioner stating our concerns and opposition to the plan.

Federal Focus - MS Policy Priorities Identified for 2008

New MS Activism Group Discusses 2008 Policy Priorities:

A group of individuals living with MS, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and National MS Society staff gathered last week in Washington, DC, to share ideas and help shape our federal policy priorities for the year. It was the first meeting of the newly established Federal Activism Council. This body will help focus our activism on the unmet needs of the MS community and ensure federal policy and advocacy are discussed and analyzed in a broad, 360-degree manner.

Potential policy priorities for 2008 include:

• Increase federal funding for multiple sclerosis research.
  
• Work with federal agencies on the incidence and prevalence rates of MS nationwide.
  
• Eliminate the 24-month waiting period that Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries must endure prior to enrolling in Medicare.
  
• Improve the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and prevent any attempts to roll back current FMLA policy.
  
• Develop appropriate federal legislation that would require insurers (including self-insured) to provide maintenance physical therapy for people living with MS.
  
• Support the Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act (S. 1050/H.R. 3294) that would allow for the development and setting of standards for accessible medical equipment.
  
• Promote adequate funding for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to reduce the backlog of disability appeals cases.
  
• Create guiding principles for the Society to enter into the broader debate on healthcare reform as it relates to people with chronic diseases and disabilities.
  
• Support and pass legislation to give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) a pathway for approving follow-on biologics.
  
• These issues were evaluated based on their impact on people living with MS, political viability, potential for collaboration, adequacy of information, degree to which the MS community will be energized, and fiscal feasibility.

The Federal Activism Council will continue to identify MS issues and guide the direction of our activism. Similar advocacy and government relations groups exist in many states. Contact your chapter to discuss a potential MS issue or to get involved.