Senator
Bob Casey
August
Recess Visit
September
7, 2016
Attendees:
Jordan
Ball, Regional Representative, Senator Casey’s Pittsburgh office
Brian
Sibenac, Constituent & PA Keystone Chapter, National MS Society
Frank
Austin, Constituent, District Activist Leader, Member PA GRC
Brian
& I met with Mr. Jordan Ball at 11:00 AM September 7, 2016 in Senator Casey’s
Pittsburgh office. While I wasn’t able to schedule a visit during the actual
August Recess I was able to schedule a meeting immediately after the Senate was
back in session.
The
items we brought forward at the meeting were:
·
We
first thanked Senator Casey for being a champion for the cause, for his
leadership and support for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s
legislative priorities.
·
Advancing
Research for Neurological Diseases Act. We stressed the fact that the last time
a study of the prevalence and occurrence of MS was conducted in the United
States was in the mid-1970s.
·
National
Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding. We stated the Society’s desire to see
$34.1B appropriated for the NIH in the final FY 2017 spending bill. The MS
Society’s contribution to MS research and the research dollars directed to MS
within NIH programs was also noted.
·
Congressionally
Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP). We emphasized the increase in
incidence of MS in veterans of the Vietnam conflict, the first Gulf War and the
exponential increase in MS cases diagnosed among Kuwaiti Nationals. We stated
the Society’s desire to see $6M appropriated for MS research in the CDMRP in
the final FY 2017 spending bill.
·
The
conversation was wide ranging. Mr. Ball acknowledged that he had no direct
connection to MS, had no knowledge of friends or acquaintances living with MS
and had very little personal knowledge of the disease. He expressed that our
meeting had been an educational experience for him.
Jordan wanted to make sure we were
aware that Senator Casey’s Washington, D.C. Legislative Assistant for Health issues
was Ms. Sara Mabry and we confirmed to him that we had had previous
opportunities to interface positively with Sara.
Jordan will also be sending Brian and me
information regarding grants that might be of benefit. He also offered local
staff assistance applying for these grants.
Our
leave behind included:
- Neurological Data Issue Brief
- MS Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program Issue Brief
- National Institutes of Health Issue Brief
·
A
copy of, “Momentum” that focused on the Society’s advocacy efforts and the
Public Policy Conference.
Frank
Austin
56
Hennig Drive
Pittsburgh,
PA 15236
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