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Until we end MS, people affected by the disease face many challenges. The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada works to ensure people with MS and their families have the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of life. The MS Society endeavours to change government policies, private industry practices and public attitudes in ways that will benefit people affected by MS.
Government Relations efforts are aimed at improving legislation, policies, practices, opportunities and/or attitudes within different levels of government that impact people affected by MS. Community Relations efforts are aimed at improving policies, practices, opportunities and/or attitudes within the non-governmental sector — businesses, corporations, and non-governmental organizations — that impact people affected by MS. The BC & Yukon Division and Chapters lead advocacy activities targeted at provincial and municipal governments and agencies. Advocacy for Individuals Tools for Advocacy How can you support our efforts? Become a member Current issues:
In November 2009, Italian researcher Dr. Paolo Zamboni, made headlines worldwide with his study of CCSVI or chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency. The MS community responded – with great hope, excitement and a call for immediate action. The MS Society shares this optimism and recognizes that this concept has already opened up new avenues of research and may lead to potential therapies. Since 2009, the BC & Yukon Division of the MS Society has advocated to the provincial and territorial governments to respond to CCSVI and MS. This is one of several pressing issues affecting people living with MS. NEW CCSVI patient registry to be established in BC. The UBC MS Clinic will receive over $700,000 in provincial funding to establish a CCSVI patient registry, care-related protocols, and a rapid access pathway to expert care for both patients and health care providers. Read full announcement. Summary of advocacy on chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and MS to BC Provincial and Yukon Territorial governments. Visit ccsvi.ca to stay up to date with CCSVI information and actions taken by the MS Society and our members.
Nearly 80 percent of people with MS are eventually unable to work full-time because of the severity and unpredictability of their symptoms. Limited housing and care choices, as well as reduced income, may result in younger adults with MS having to move into care settings that are totally inappropriate. What we want to change:
Although the provincial government sets province-wide goals, standards and performance agreements, MS is not included on the current list of priority chronic diseases being addressed. As a result, there is inconsistent and inequitable implementation of primary care and enhanced chronic disease management across BC for people with MS. MS neurologists agree that people with MS benefit from early treatment, to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks and to slow the progression of disability. In addition, people with MS rely on prescription drugs to treat a wide range of symptoms. Unfortunately, the disease-modifying therapies and some of the symptom-management therapies are expensive. Discrepancies between private and public health benefits plans mean that people receiving provincial support don’t have the same drug coverage as people with private insurance. Read the MS Society of Canada Position Paper on Access to Equitable Health Services What we want to change:
Multiple sclerosis has a profound impact on the ability to earn a living. Over time, up to 80 percent of people with MS can no longer work. Often this is because of a lack of accommodation by employers and a lack of appropriate government supports. What we want to change
Canada is a recognized leader in MS research, and much of this research is conducted in BC. However, as the small group of outstanding scientists and clinicians near retirement, replacing the loss of MS research expertise will be a tremendous challenge. What we want to change
The MS Society of Canada, BC & Yukon Division is a member of the Better Pharmacare Coalition (BPC), a group of provincial and national health organizations and consumer groups with a mandate to speak on behalf of its 2,000,000-plus members on issues related to the Government of British Columbia's PharmaCare program. The Coalition is asking all patients in BC to get involved to make sure that the BC Government keeps the interests of patients, not those of drug manufacturers or pharmacists, as the guiding focus as they overhaul the BC PharmaCare drug review process and drug reimbursement formulary. To learn more about the Better Pharmacare Coalition, visit www.betterpharmacare.org Archives: |
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