The ACR Government Affairs Committee’s Outgoing Chair Urges Members to Continue Advocating for Rheumatology

Dr. Harvey also emphasized that the time is right to push the incoming Congress to support efforts underway to increase biomedical research funding. Currently, the ACR is supporting $34.5 billion for the NIH in the FY 2017 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Bill that includes funding of the 21st Century Cures legislation and supports $13 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Arthritis Program in the FY 2017 Labor Health and Human Services (HHS) Appropriations Bill. “Our selling point to the Republican administration is that growth in NIH funding is an investment in economic growth,” he said, adding that advocacy for increased research spending is done through telling the story of how research affects patients.

He also spoke about efforts by the ACR to help patients access specialty therapies, saying that the ACR supports the bipartisan Patients’ Access to Treatment Act (PATA) bill (H.R. 1600) that limits the amount a patient is required to pay out of pocket for infusion drugs. Currently, the bill is in the House, and the ACR is trying to get members to help introduce PATA in the Senate.

Rheumatologist participation in advocacy is growing, with more than 7,800 emails sent on policy issues …

View from the Floor

Shining a political light on what rheumatologists can expect from the new administration, Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) promoted free market mechanisms to manage and solve the myriad issues raised during the session.

For example, when asked by an audience member about concerns over the high and increasing price of drugs for such diseases as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, Rep. Shimkus agreed that the price of drugs is a valid concern, but said not to expect the Republican Congress to advocate price controls. Instead, he said that he is for more competition and more products, implying that the free market is the best way to address high drug prices.

Regarding biomedical research money and a question from the audience on where Republicans stood in terms of NIH funding, Rep. Shimkus expressed strong support for the NIH, but said if even more discretionary dollars are desired, then Congress will need help with reforming mandatory spending on such programs as Social Security and Medicare.

Speaking to the overall issue of the session on advocacy efforts by the ACR to address member concerns, Rep. Shimkus emphasized that rheumatologists, health professionals and patients need to continue work to help protect their interests, practices and patients. “The Constitution allows you to collectively organize to air grievances,” he told audience members.