The 2008 "Legislator of the Year" as selected by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society was Congressman Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas). Congressman Burgess is head of the Congressional MS Caucus and has (re)introduced legislation to create a national MS registry to pool information about people living with MS that would help with planning for services and health care needs, detect/monitoring health practices, promote advocacy and support research.
In other words, Congressman Burgess, as head of the MS Caucus, is MS's number one supporter in Congress. So if you have an issue about MS that you want to bring up, or just want to say "thanks" to him for his work, you can use the link below:
Contact Congressman Burgess
Personally, I think that the more people who write in, the higher multiple sclerosis will be on his agenda and in his awareness.
In other words, Congressman Burgess, as head of the MS Caucus, is MS's number one supporter in Congress. So if you have an issue about MS that you want to bring up, or just want to say "thanks" to him for his work, you can use the link below:
Contact Congressman Burgess
Personally, I think that the more people who write in, the higher multiple sclerosis will be on his agenda and in his awareness.
Dr. Julie,
It remains to be seen whether or not Congressman Burgess will be a friend to msers. I’ve looked all over his website and the only mention I can find of ms (other than his attempt to establish a national registry) is where the national society recently honored him.
I am somewhat skeptical how he truly has the msers interest at heart. He was instrumental in candidate McCain’s health policy–one of the main components being the “health savings accounts” which was strongly opposed by Obama and Hilary Clinton. Also, he received a “perfect” score of 100 from the ACU–the American Conservative Union–the conservatives’ conservative. He favors legislation making it more difficult for patients being able to file malpractice claims against doctors. He opposed Pelosi and the other democrats last year on the contuation of the SCHIP program…..I believe the jury will be out on him for quite a while….I’d be curious what his thoughts are on stem cell research for ms (and other diseases as well)…can anyone enlighten me as to why he is “legislator of the year”?
well Doc Julie, it’s been almost 3 weeks since you submitted your post re: Congressman Burgess…it appears that the Congressman nor anyone from his congressional staff takes the time to read your blog…I would seriously doubt whether he ever does anything that would provide meaningful help for msers….msers should look for others in congress and the political spectrum to help them….my hunch is the congressman will provide meaningful help for the insurance & drug industries….