Video: Knock on Wood| Webinar: ACR/CHEST ILD Guidelines in Practice
fa-facebookfa-linkedinfa-youtube-playfa-rss

An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

  • Conditions
    • Axial Spondyloarthritis
    • Gout and Crystalline Arthritis
    • Myositis
    • Osteoarthritis and Bone Disorders
    • Pain Syndromes
    • Pediatric Conditions
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Sjögren’s Disease
    • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
    • Systemic Sclerosis
    • Vasculitis
    • Other Rheumatic Conditions
  • FocusRheum
    • ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
    • Axial Spondyloarthritis
    • Gout
    • Lupus Nephritis
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  • Guidance
    • Clinical Criteria/Guidelines
    • Ethics
    • Legal Updates
    • Legislation & Advocacy
    • Meeting Reports
      • ACR Convergence
      • Other ACR meetings
      • EULAR/Other
    • Research Rheum
  • Drug Updates
    • Analgesics
    • Biologics/DMARDs
  • Practice Support
    • Billing/Coding
    • EMRs
    • Facility
    • Insurance
    • QA/QI
    • Technology
    • Workforce
  • Opinion
    • Patient Perspective
    • Profiles
    • Rheuminations
      • Video
    • Speak Out Rheum
  • Career
    • ACR ExamRheum
    • Awards
    • Career Development
  • ACR
    • ACR Home
    • ACR Convergence
    • ACR Guidelines
    • Journals
      • ACR Open Rheumatology
      • Arthritis & Rheumatology
      • Arthritis Care & Research
    • From the College
    • Events/CME
    • President’s Perspective
  • Search

Advocating for Change: Q&A with Georgia State Rep. Kim Schofield

Kimberly Retzlaff  |  October 19, 2020

Q: With regard to access disparities, what are some state policy changes that could help begin to correct this situation?
We have to not just have a dialogue, but we have to really be committed and intentional about putting measures in place to change health disparities—for example, increasing access by opening more rural hospitals, ensuring access to specialists and capping medication prices. The system was designed for one specific group of people, but now we have to make it inclusive, and we have to make change in a way that is lasting and sustainable.

Q: What are some of the most effective ways that patients and providers can advocate?
Do contact your legislator, whether you’re in politics or not. Providers can also be proactive by encouraging patients to advocate for themselves. Don’t get discouraged. This is a long process. And don’t give up. If you don’t hear back from your legislator, find another way to communicate with them. You can call the offices, send email or reach out through social media. Do be prepared to tell us what you want. If you don’t know specifically what your need is, then work with advocacy groups. And finally, do know your policymaker, what they stand for and their platform.

ad goes here:advert-1
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE

Q: When legislators hear from providers and patients through advocacy efforts, what effect does it have?
Policymakers are people too. The touch point is finding that connection, sharing your story. If we make it human, then people have a capacity to understand and have empathy. When I work with the rheumatologists that come to the capitol, it gives me perspective on their daily challenges, the resources that they need and the barriers that they face.

Q: Given the uncertainty today with the election and the pandemic, what do you see as being the biggest challenges and opportunities for health policy in Georgia and nationally in 2021?
COVID-19 exposed a lot of gaps in healthcare—for example, the number of people who are uninsured—and now we realize that the whole healthcare system needs to be reformed. We’ve got to look at making systemic changes, not just quick fixes, to really build a strong healthcare system that can and will work for most if not all people.

ad goes here:advert-2
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE

Kimberly J. Retzlaff is a freelance medical journalist based in Denver.

Page: 1 2 | Single Page
Share: 

Filed under:Legislation & Advocacy Tagged with:Legislation & AdvocacyLupusRepresentative Kim Schofield

Related Articles
    Rep. Schofield and Dr. Worthing listen to an audience member's question.

    1 Person Can Make a Difference: The Importance of Advocacy

    November 11, 2019

    Your voice matters: That was the shared theme of presentations by Angus Worthing, MD, FACR, FACP, William F. Harvey, MD, MSc, FACR, and Georgia Rep. Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta, Dist. 60) in the session, Raise Your Voice! Advocacy Update from Government Affairs at the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting on Monday, Nov. 11.

    The ACR’s Congressional Advocacy Produces Results

    June 21, 2018

    The underlying tenet of the ACR’s advocacy efforts is that we cannot effect change for our profession and our patients unless we take our issues directly to decision makers. As I write this column, I am highly encouraged by the progress we have made so far this year in the advocacy realm. At the same…

    State of RheumPAC: 2015 Annual Report

    May 13, 2016

    Dear Friends and Colleagues, With your strong support and commitment, RheumPAC has grown again for the eighth straight year, allowing us to do even more on your behalf. Not only did we exceed our original goal by raising more than $150,000. More importantly, these donations came from nearly 350 ACR and ARHP members—a new record….

    ACR Addresses Workforce Challenges at the State Level

    March 21, 2019

    Like many states in recent years, Georgia has struggled to provide patients with adequate access to rheumatologists and other cognitive specialists, with Georgia averaging 74,713 people per rheumatologist. Of equal concern, 31% of Georgia’s rheumatologists are approaching retirement age. During the current legislative session, the ACR has stepped up with a proposal to alleviate some…

  • About Us
  • Meet the Editors
  • Issue Archives
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
fa-facebookfa-linkedinfa-youtube-playfa-rss
  • Copyright © 2025 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved, including rights for text and data mining and training of artificial technologies or similar technologies. ISSN 1931-3268 (print). ISSN 1931-3209 (online).
  • DEI Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Preferences