The Best Advocates
Rheumatologists are best positioned to advocate for the needs of their patients and their profession, the physicians say.
“Some legislators or their aides might consider rheumatology a boutique specialty, or think rheumatoid arthritis is not a major disorder,” says Dr. Baraf. “They’ve never heard of lupus or scleroderma. It’s our job to educate them so we can be certain our patients’ needs are met and their access to rheumatologists is maintained. It’s also crucial to our survival as a profession.”
RheumPAC Goals
RheumPAC cannot accept corporate funds or money from the ACR for its advocacy. Support cannot be included in dues required for membership; it must come from voluntary personal investments. “Our goal is that all ACR and ARHP members in the U.S. invest what they can,” Dr. Gewanter says, noting that only U.S. citizens can legally contribute to PACs.
“We want our membership participation to grow to 30, 40, 50%,” says Dr. Baraf. “Other organizations—anesthesiologists, radiologists, orthopedics, cardiology—have anywhere from 6 to 15 times more participation among their memberships, yet rheumatologists and our patients are far more vulnerable than any of these.”
To invest in RheumPAC, visit http://www.rheumatology.org/Advocacy/RheumPAC.
Kelly April Tyrrell writes about health, science and health policy. She lives in Madison, Wis.