11:55 a.m.: I log off my computer for lunch and celebrate my medical assistant’s birthday with cake.
1 p.m.: Next up, we meet with the office of Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). By our third legislative meeting, Dr. Desir and I settle into a rhythm of telling stories of how these issues impact providers and patient care. The legislative correspondent, Josh, is very familiar with these issues and says the senator supports these measures. He asks detailed questions about the specific ways in which the prior authorization bill seeks to improve the process through reporting statistics, making real-time decision making and transitioning to electronic prior authorizations.
1:45 p.m.: I check MyChart and find a message that, although my appeal for tofacinitib for a patient was finally approved, the patient will not be able to afford the medication.
2 p.m.: During my break time, I meet a new patient in clinic with Sjögren’s syndrome, who is very excited to learn that I spent my morning doing advocacy work. I tell her patient advocates are great additions to advocacy days to be able to communicate their experiences in the health care system.
3 p.m.: We meet with the office of Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and continue to share our stories. His office staff are surprised to learn that the proposed PBM legislation only seeks to have public reporting of PBM drug rebates and discounts to better understand the system. I agree that further action is likely needed for regulation but starting with a more transparent system is an easy first step.
3:30 p.m.: Dr. Desir and I split up and each meet with our House representative—for me, Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.). At this point, I can easily recite through the talking points. Once again, I get a great response and a lot of interest, with many follow-up questions about the legislative requests.
4 p.m.: Done for the day! Five congressional meetings and three patient visits make for a busy day. The virtual Capitol Hill visits made it easy for me to see patients and work out of my office, but I hope that we soon return to in-person advocacy and get to meet the other physician and patient advocates.
Eric Dein, MD, is a rheumatologist at the Institute for Rheumatic & Autoimmune Diseases, Overlook Medical Center, Summit, N.J.
