Advocating for the Issues
“The rheumatology advocacy team is a small part of the overall medical advocacy effort in the U.S. and needs to maintain strong ties and good relationships with our champions regardless of which side of the aisle they’re on,” says Dr. Worthing. “We try to advocate for our issues instead of any one political movement or politician.”
Last year, the ACR Public Leadership Award went to Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). The award consistently recognizes champions like her and Sen. Collins.
Sen. Collins “supports common-sense initiatives, and most of the initiatives we need for our profession and for patients will be bipartisan and in her wheelhouse,” says Dr. Worthing. “We look forward to continued partnership with Sen. Collins on other ways to improve our patients’ access to insurance, rheumatology care, screening and treatments.”
Kelly April Tyrrell writes about health, science and health policy. She lives in Madison, Wis.
