Dear Mr. Legislator:

Last night I attended an MS information session for those recently diagnosed with MS. The topic for the evening was financial planning and insurance. During the session I learned that many people with MS and other degnerative illnesses are forced to quit their job and then lose their health insurance as a result. If they do not immediately qualify for Medicare or Medicaid they are often forced to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). According to the presentation, "To be entitled to Social Security benefits, a person must have worked 5 of the 10 years immediately before the disability and paid FICA taxes. The disability or impairment must be expected to last for at least 12 months." In addition, "A person becomes Medicare eligible 24 months from the date of the initial application for SSDI-once the SSDI award has been made."

Here is my question Mr. Legislator: How can the government allow a sick or disabled person to wait up to 24 months for helP? This seems unconscionable to me.

I am writing to ask that you provide more funding now for indigent care. I am also asking that you help change the laws that can make a person wait 24 months for the funding and care they need.

Addionally, I would also like to see more funding dedicated to helping poor,uninsured people with MS get their medications. I would specifically like to see funding to pay for interferons that slow the spread of the disease. I would like to see more funding for cortico steriods for those suffering a relapse or flare up of their MS. Sir, thank you for considering my plea on behalf of those receiving indigent care and the MS sufferers who need insurance immediately.

Respectfully,
Nadja Tizer

*Blog Readers please send letter like this one to your legislator today.