The 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been eliminated. Formerly, ALS patients had to wait a total of 29 months for Medicare from the time their application for Social Security Disability benefits was approved. Former President Clinton and Congress passed this law effective 7/1/01 because it didn't make sense for ALS patients, since half die within three years of their diagnosis. Of the half who live longer, however, 20% live up to five years, 20% live up to 10 years and up to 10% live longer than 10 years. For more information on ALS, visit The ALS Association at www.alsa.org.