Legislation

113th Congress (Current Legislation)

The MDA Advocacy department continues to strive to be an effective voice for the hundreds of thousands of Americans whom we serve. As legislation relevant to our neuromuscular community is introduced throughout the 113th Congress, we will provide detailed overviews of the issues, as well as helpful tools to take action.

The Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research and Education (MD CARE) Amendments Act of 2013 (H.R. 594/S. 315)

The Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research and Education (MD CARE) Amendments of 2013 amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the muscular dystrophy research program of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It also seeks to expand the forms of muscular dystrophy included within the program.

In passing the MD CARE Act, the legislative intent is to provide government funding for research and development of clinical care; expedite the evaluation and approval of emerging therapies; and create a national registry to allow tracking of the disease.

Read more about the MD CARE Act, and take action today!

Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2013 (H.R. 647 and S. 313)

The ABLE Act amends section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the establishment of “ABLE accounts” for the care of family members with disabilities. ABLE accounts encourage and assist individuals and families in saving private funds that can be used to support the health, independence and quality of life of the person living with a disability.

In creating ABLE accounts, the legislative intent is to provide secure funding for disability-related expenses on behalf of designated beneficiaries with disabilities. These funds supplement — but do not supplant — benefits provided through private insurances, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the beneficiary's employer and other resources.

Read more about the ABLE Act of 2013, and take action today!