Nygabnet

Subj: Re: Medicare to PAY for Avonex Begginning August!
Date: 5/20/2002 11:00:38 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Ny gabnet
To: Justgot2puttz



Dear List:

As many of you are aware due o y last post, Avonex as of this summer will be the first inject able medication to treat MS that Medicare will pay for. This has been a long hall with many repercussions. I am asking not for myself as I have thankfully a wonderful drug plan, but for my peers who regrettably have not fared as well as I. Well this is our change to help our friends who cannot due to the monetary aspect afford the luxury of taking any of
the ABC meds or Rebif. This I find insane, as we are the wealthiest country in the world. I would appreciate any effort you might make on behalf of many of our dear comrades who no liability of there own do not have the detriment of a prescription nor health plan.
Here is a guide that might prove helpful when you address your letters.

Good Luck!

People with relapsing-remitting MS now have a choice among three drugs - Betaseron, Avonex and Copaxone - all of which have a proven effect on the natural course of Multiple Sclerosis.

Currently, Medicare does not cover prescription drugs like these that are generally taken on an out-patient basis. Consequently, many people who are on Medicare cannot afford these essential medications. Representative Jim Greenwood (R-PA) introduced “The Medicare Coverage for MS Act,” H.R. 1329 to
provide Medicare coverage for interferon therapies. A similar bill “The Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Act of 1997,” H.R. 1018 introduced by Representative John LaFalce (D-NY) covers all biotechnology therapies.

Multiple Sclerosis is a devastating, degenerative disease of the Central Nervous System (brain and spinal cord). MS affects several hundred thousand Americans, usually just when they are beginning their careers and families. The insulation, called myelin, surrounding the nerves is damaged or destroyed. When
this occurs, messages from the brain are lost or interrupted. Eventually, without treatment, total disability can occur. Since 1993, the FDA has approved three new therapies for the disease. These drugs have the potential of keeping people with MS healthier, more independent, more productive, and allowing some to retain or return to employment.

I ask that you write your U.S. Representative(s) and urge him/her to co-sponsor these bills, H.R. 1329 and H.R. 1018, which provide Medicare coverage for all the new breakthrough therapies that actually improve the disease course of Multiple Sclerosis.

I believe in an open mind, But
not so open that your brains fall out!
~Arthur HaysSulzberger~
‹„›¿‹„›
³´`*:»§<<Laura K.*»§«:*´`³
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"Until you make peace with who you are,
you will never be content with what you have."
Laura K.*

__________________
"If you feel down, just consider that the sun sinks
every night, only to rise again in the morning."
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••••••••••Laura K.*••••••••
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