Reps. Rutigliano Attends Connecticut MS Activism Day
HARTFORD- State Reps. David Rutigliano (R-123) attended the Multiple Sclerosis Society’s 2018 Connecticut Activism day at the Capitol in Hartford.
Trumbull State Representative Rutigliano spoke with and listened to constituents Mark Minopoli and Win Almira Mandy-Minopoli, Mark is living with multiple sclerosis.
“Living with MS sometimes means you cannot work full-time or earn a steady income. The safety net is extremely important to those with MS and we must make sure they have the government assistance they require. Additionally, we need to protect their patient rights,” said Rep. Rutigliano.
The Multiple Sclerosis Society legislative agenda had three top priorities.
- The MS Society supports restoring full funding to the Medicare Savings Program and Medicaid. Rutigliano told the constituents that they have proposed full restoration of the MSP program in their state budget plan.
- The second item advocated for was a bill seeking to gather relevant information from all sources involved in the high costs of drugs; information crucial for policy-makers. The burden high drug costs affects the day-to-day lives of people living MS.
- The final proposal is a measure that would require prescription drug formulary transparency to allow consumers to select the most appropriate plan to support their physical and financial health. People living with MS and their healthcare providers have reported that sudden changes to prescription drug coverage can have negative effects on their lives and health outcomes.
With time running out on the legislative session (adjourning on May 9th) and both Rutigliano pledged to raise the bills next session if time runs out. He invited the Trumbull constituents to come and testify next year at a public hearing on these proposals.