Over the past year, MS activists sent more than 19,000 emails and had more than 500 visits with congressional offices to urge them to fund MS research and programs and services important to people with MS and their families in Fiscal Year (FY) 2015. We are excited to report that your hard work and dedication as an MS activist have paid off! Last week, Congress worked through the weekend to finalize funding levels for FY 2015 and this week the President signed the bill into law. Lawmakers in Washington heard the voices and concerns of MS activists -- and MS priorities fared with slight increases or flat funding from the previous year -- a win in a contentious budget climate. The final budget included: $30.1 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a $150 million increase from FY14; $5 million for the MS Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), level funding from last year; $2.6 billion for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a $37 million increase from FY14; $2.36 million for the Lifespan Respite Care Program, level funding from last year; $11.81 billion for the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) administrative budget, a $110 million increase from FY14. With work on the FY 2015 complete, funding will be available to help further innovative research to stop disease progression, restore function and end MS forever. Additionally, programs that people with MS and the families rely on like Lifespan Respite and Social Security disability remain available for those in need. Thanks again for your hard word in helping secure funding for MS priorities in FY 2015! We look forward to continuing our work together in the new year.
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 00:10:57 +0000