2023 Multiple Sclerosis Michigan State Action Day

On May 24th, 2023, the National MS Society hosted State Action Day, a significant event where my mother and I actively participated. We embarked on a journey to the Michigan State Capitol, where we had the opportunity to meet and engage with our state's House ( Patrick Outman ) and Senate (Rick Outman) representatives. Our mission was to advocate for the introduction of a crucial bill on June 6th, led by House Representative Carrie A Rheingans . This proposed legislation aims to implement copay accumulator reform, a much-needed change in Michigan's healthcare system. Simply put, the bill would ensure that any payment made towards a patient's copay, whether it comes from a church, a drug manufacturer, a family member, or any other source, will count towards reducing the patient's yearly deductible. Currently, such payments do not impact the deductible, allowing insurance companies to take advantage and effectively "double dip" into patients' finances. It is worth noting that seventeen other states have already enacted similar legislation to protect individuals from this unfair practice, and Michigan has the opportunity to become the eighteenth state to do so.

To all fellow Michigan residents who are reading this, I urge you to take action and lend your support. The National MS Society has provided a convenient form that can be personalized with your own story and sent directly to your dedicated representatives (Link to Form). This issue directly affects anyone burdened by exorbitantly priced medications, necessitating their reliance on copay assistance programs. The proposed fix is a bipartisan effort, with a previous version of the bill garnering an impressive 98-9 vote in favor in the Michigan House of Representatives. Your involvement and support truly have the potential to make a significant impact in advancing this much-needed legislation and ensuring fair treatment for patients across the state.