NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY

Joined with several disability groups to respond to DOT's request for comments on disability-related air travel complaints received by air carriers. The group urged the department to continue to require air carriers to report and categorize disability-related complaints received due to DOT legislative requirements and practical reasons. Joined with disability groups to comment on DOT's Notice Regarding Investigatory and Enforcement Policies and Procedures of the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection. The comment emphasized that OACP must continue to assess monetary penalties for violations of the ACAA.

H.R.1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act H.R. 4016 - Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 S. 2572 - Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 H.R. 5304 - Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 S. 2587 - Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 H.R.3944 - Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026 H.R.7148 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 In January, joined with coalition partners to thank House leadership for including critical funding for programs that are essential to individuals with disabilities, chronic conditions, and injuries in the appropriations conference report. Supported the passage of H.R.7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which included funding priorities for FY 26. Advocated for funding levels in FY27 appropriations bills: $51.303 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for fiscal year (FY) 2027. Supporting established funding levels for Medicare and Medicaid and protection of Medicaid's current financing structure. DoD- Working to ensure $1.626 billion in funding for the Congressionally Directed MS Research Program in FY 27. Specifically advocating for $22 million for the MS Research Program. Joined with coalition partners to send a letter to the Appropriations Committee leadership on NIH funding.

H.R. 1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act H.R. 1509 - Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act of 2025 H.R. 2036 - Credit for Caring Act of 2025 H.R. 2079 - Insurance Fraud Accountability Act H.R. 2320 - Mobility Means Freedom Tax Credit Act H.R. 2560 - Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2025 H.R. 3417 - Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act of 2025 H.R. 3514 - Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 H.R. 3907 - ENROLL Act of 2025 H.R.4317 - PBM Reform Act of 2025 H.R.5081 - Telehealth Modernization Act H.R. 5940, the Seniors Deserve Streamlined Medical Approvals for Timely, Efficient, Recovery (SMARTER) Care Act of 2025 H.R.6183 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reform certain rules related to health savings accounts. H.R.6837 - To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to ensure that pharmacy benefit managers are considered fiduciaries, and for other purposes. S. 752 - Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act S. 830 - Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2025 S. 925 - Credit for Caring Act of 2025 S. 976 - Insurance Fraud Accountability Act S. 1816 - Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 S. 2024 - ENROLL Act of 2025 S. 3549 - PBM FAIR Act S. 3386 - Health Care Freedom for Patients Act of 2025 Joined a coalition comment letter in response to the HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027 proposed rule. These comments focused on key proposals related to enrollees in need of, the essential health benefit (EHB) category of rehabilitation and habilitation services and devices.

H.R.1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act H.R.7148 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 Continued to advocate on H.R.1 implementation. Submitted and joined coalition comments to HHS on the proposed rule to revise the Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D), and Medicare cost plan regulations.

H.R.1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act H.R.7148 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 H.R.7779 - Healthy Brains Act of 2026 Over the course of the last quarter joined with various coalition partners to advocate for NIH funding grants for medical research. Submitted comments to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the agency's request for feedback on how current HHS regulations affect the adoption and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical care.