Individuals diagnosed with severe conditions – such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – should evaluate their current health insurance policy as well as look into purchasing a life insurance policy.
Securing the best life and health insurance policies will not only provide financial security for one’s family but will also ensure that financial and medical needs are being met.
ALS – also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease – is a progressive disease that attacks the nerve cells that control voluntary movements.
ALS could lead to muscle weakness and paralysis, which could be fatal in some situations. While causes for the condition are not well known, efforts from the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could shed light on what causes this condition from developing.
Recently, the National Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Registry was created to help document individuals diagnosed with the condition. Scientists will be able to use the data to find common risk factors among those who have the disease.
The National ALS Registry is a congressional mandated registry for persons in the U.S. with ALS. According to their website, it is the only population-based registry in the U.S. that collects information to help scientists learn more about who gets ALS and its causes.
Currently, there is no cure for the disease and no knowledge on what causes it.
If you or someone you know has the disease, please consider joining the Registry and completing a brief risk factor survey that will be used to help scientists find a cure. A link to the Registry can be found here.
Dr. Kevin Horton, ASTDR ALS program administrator, said better and more comprehensive data would be available if a large number of people take part in the registry.
“In addition, the registry provides a means to share information about research findings and clinical trials,” Horton said.
New federal reform rules put restrictions on health insurance companies denying people coverage because of pre-existing conditions. Other regulations are set to take effect in the coming years.