ACR members from Pennsylvania with Rep. Dwight Evans. (Click to enlarge.)
Encouraging lawmakers to pass legislation and promote policies that positively affect rheumatologists, rheumatology care teams and those living with rheumatic disease is one of the most impactful ways the ACR advances its mission. The role of advocacy has never been more critical than in recent months, when we have seen an unprecedented number of executive orders and legislative actions that affect our specialty. The ACR tracks these developments and advocates on behalf of rheumatology through communication with federal and state legislators, regulatory agencies and the judicial branch.
The ACR is fortunate to have a skilled and experienced advocacy team, comprising staff and volunteer members, working on its behalf. Team members translate the key issues and guide us to the optimal path, allowing the ACR’s voice to be heard at national and local levels. This month’s column focuses on the broad ways in which the ACR approaches our advocacy efforts.
Much of the ACR’s advocacy success comes from working together with like-minded partners. For example, the ACR joined with more than 300 other organizations as part of the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research to emphasize the importance of investment in the National Institutes of Health. The ACR co-convened the Underwater Biosimilars Coalition to fix the reimbursement formula for medications given in physician offices. Similarly, the ACR co-founded the Alliance for Transparent and Affordable Prescriptions to educate state and national officials about the activities of, and encourage reform of, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).
ACR members from Ohio with Sen. Bernie Moreno. (Click to enlarge.)
Government Affairs Committee
The Government Affairs Committee (GAC) plays a critical role in developing effective liaisons with members of Congress and organizations concerned with public policy aspects of healthcare delivery and healthcare financing. Leaders on the GAC also help guide the ACR’s advocacy efforts and prioritize the many policy issues that affect our members and specialty.
Health policy statements
ACR health policy statements are developed by the GAC and approved by the ACR Board of Directors. These statements inform members of Congress, regulatory entities and partner organizations of ACR policy recommendations. These health policy statements are reviewed, updated and approved annually, with provisions offering the ability for revisions and additions to be made as needed to reflect emerging issues.
RheumPAC
RheumPAC is the ACR’s nonpartisan political action committee (PAC) and is the only PAC dedicated to the interests of the rheumatology profession. It was created in 2007 with the goal of educating, electing and supporting federal lawmakers who can positively address the issues that impact rheumatology care providers and people with rheumatic disease. RheumPAC has supported the campaigns of both Republicans and Democrats whose voting records reflect the interests of rheumatology.
The ACR Executive Committee on its way to meet with FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, MPH. (Click to enlarge.)
State & Local Rheumatology Advocacy
The Affiliate Society Council (ASC), a subcommittee of the Committee on Rheumatologic Care, provides a mechanism for the ACR to advocate for rheumatology at the state and local levels. The ASC is one of the most important ways the ACR collaborates with state societies to work on legislative and policy issues confronting our members where they live and work. The Council comprises designees from each state or local society affiliated with the ACR.
Advocates for Arthritis
Once a year, the ACR/ARP brings together rheumatology professionals and patients to advocate on behalf of the rheumatology community. During this event, participants meet with congressional leaders to discuss issues affecting rheumatology. Being involved in Advocates for Arthritis is a great way for members to engage in the legislative process and increase awareness of rheumatology on Capitol Hill.
The ACR/ARP recently completed its 2025 Advocates for Arthritis event, which was attended by more than 100 members of the rheumatology community who participated in 123 meetings with lawmakers from 27 states. Key issues discussed with lawmakers included:
- Preserving access to care for Medicare patients;
- Opposing cuts to Medicaid;
- How PBMs drive up prescription drug costs; and
- Investing in the National Institutes of Health.
The ACR also co-hosted a congressional briefing with the Arthritis Foundation to raise awareness on Capitol Hill about the realities of arthritis and to advocate for sustained investment in rheumatology research.
Other Efforts
In addition, the ACR holds meetings with executive agencies, such as the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), to give rheumatology a strong voice in regulatory policymaking that affects rheumatologists and their patients.
This year, the ACR Executive Committee met with FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, MPH, at the Department of Health & Human Services headquarters on May 6 and with CMS Deputy Administrator Christoper Klomp on May 20.
Want to Know More?
The ACR has communication channels that allow members to remain up to date with the latest news from our advocacy team:
- ACR@Work—The ACR publishes a bimonthly e-newsletter for members with the latest news and activities related to advocacy and policy updates, practice management, insurance issues and more;
- The ACR advocacy website offers members up-to-date news on what’s going on in Washington, D.C., and the ACR’s ongoing efforts to promote pro-rheumatology policies;
- Social media is another way to keep informed on ACR advocacy efforts. Be sure to follow the ACR on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn. For advocacy specific updates, follow @ ACRheumDC on X.
You can also schedule time to join the ACR’s advocacy team to learn more about our team’s efforts, ask questions about ACR advocacy and find out how you can get involved from home. You will have access to our Congressional, regulatory, state, and private payer advocacy staff, so any concern you have will find the right ears. Contact the ACR advocacy team at [email protected].
What Can You Do?
The ACR’s legislative action center is your destination to advocate for the needs and concerns of rheumatology providers, professionals and patients.
Through the action center, rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals are empowered to speak directly to their legislators on public policy matters that affect the rheumatology profession. It only takes a couple of minutes to send customized messages to your lawmakers through links provided by the ACR.
Your voice as an advocate is essential. Join us to create positive change for rheumatology professionals and patients nationwide.
Carol A. Langford, MD, MHS, is the director of the Center for Vasculitis Care and Research in the Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases at Cleveland Clinic, where she is professor of medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and holds the Harold C. Schott endowed chair in rheumatic and immunologic diseases.
