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grantcart

(53,061 posts)
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 03:18 PM Sep 2012

As a family that suffers from MS, Romneys get benefit of tens of millions of tax payer research $ [View all]

Romney is definitely in the 47% of the country that are 'takers'.

Their family benefits from tens of millions of US dollars that have gone into decades of research on neuro related diseases in general and MS in particular.

Had a neighbor who suffered tremendously from MS and died young and I don't wish it on anyone.

But I am completely baffled at what kind of morally bankrupt person with a basic education of how society works could see how people suffer with MS and not become more empathetic with their plight.

The National Institute for Health invests in advancing the research and treatment of MS does that make your wife Ann Romney a Taker?



http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/multiple_sclerosis/multiple_sclerosis.htm

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct research in laboratories at the NIH and also support additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Scientists continue their extensive efforts to create new and better therapies for MS. One of the most promising MS research areas involves naturally occurring antiviral proteins known as interferons. Beta interferon has been shown to reduce the number of exacerbations and may slow the progression of physical disability. When attacks do occur, they tend to be shorter and less severe. In addition, there are a number of treatments under investigation that may curtail attacks or improve function. Over a dozen clinical trials testing potential therapies are underway, and additional new treatments are being devised and tested in animal models.





http://www.nationalmssociety.org/activism-success-stories/index.aspx

1) Added an aggressive form of MS to qualify for the "Compassionate Allowances Initiative" at the Social Security Administration. This initiative will allow those individuals that qualify to receive Social Security Disability Insurance quicker than the average applicant.
Established new federal funding avenues that thus far, have yielded over $20 million for MS research. In FY 2008, nearly $4 million was dedicated for MS research in a Department of Defense competitive program. MS activists then successfully advocated for a distinct funding stream that has allocated over $16 million or MS research in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.

2) Introduced legislation to allow Medicare Part D to cover off-label drugs for people living with MS.
Promoted awareness and importance of a wide range of caregiving initiatives for people living with disabilities. As part of this effort, advocated for increased funding for and reauthorization of the Lifespan Respite Program, which improves access to quality respite for family caregivers, and supported introduction of legislation o support Adult Day Achievement Centers.

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