The ACR and its public awareness campaign, Simple Tasks, have relaunched their “Share Your Story” campaign to highlight the lives of patients with rheumatic disease and how they are affected by healthcare policies in the U.S. We are seeking patients who might be interested in sharing their stories with legislators and members of the media.
Simple Tasks aims to increase awareness of the impacts of rheumatic diseases and the work of rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals. The campaign also works in support of healthcare policies that can make rheumatology care more accessible and affordable.
Patient stories are a powerful way to highlight how healthcare policies affect the everyday lives of people with rheumatic diseases. We currently are seeking stories from patients who have experienced one of the following treatment access barriers:
- Prior authorization delays or denials in Medicare Advantage;
- Reliance on copay assistance programs; or
- Trouble affording or adhering to medication programs due to cost.
If you know any patients who are experiencing these delays or payment issues who would be willing to speak with us and share their story with lawmakers or members of the media, ask them to fill out our new Share Your Story survey or contact Dan Redinger, the ACR’s director of political affairs and engagement, at [email protected]. We also encourage you to share the survey link with your colleagues and on social media.
The Simple Tasks team will work with survey respondents to make the process as seamless as possible for both patients and providers. An example of a recent story that we worked to develop features Brooklyn Johnson, a patient advocate with lupus and juvenile dermatomyositis.
Do not hesitate to reach out to the ACR at [email protected] with any questions. Thank you as always for your time and commitment to helping the College’s advocacy efforts.