Dr. Yang: I have gone to D.C. as part of the GAC to talk with government representatives about federal-level issues and to the state capital in Sacramento as part of the California Rheumatology Alliance (CRA) to take on some state-level issues. I also intermittently reach out to my local representatives just to tell them some of the things that are concerns of mine.
TR: You also are working hard to get fellows in training involved. Why?
Dr. Yang: I feel they should not only be learning about diseases and patient care, but also about the policies that affect that patient care. So we get together periodically to talk about that. For example, I’ll ask, ‘If treatment guidelines say you can use medication A, B or C, why are you only prescribing A? Is it because insurance makes A more accessible, and you know B and C will be a fight?’ This is one of many important considerations that not only affect our patients, but also us as rheumatologists. Basically, I keep saying: If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. Every time you’re frustrated by filling out a prior authorization or receiving a denial on your claim, you need to turn that into positive energy and action. Get involved with the ACR. Get involved with advocacy.
Advocacy doesn’t have to be going to D.C. or knocking on the door of your representative or senator. It can be something as simple as writing an email to or giving them a phone call when you’re stuck in traffic, and saying, ‘Hey, this is your friendly neighborhood rheumatologist and this is on my mind. If you have any questions, let me know.’ Little efforts like that go a long way to not only help your individual patients, but all patients with rheumatic disease.
Leslie Mertz, PhD, is a freelance science journalist based in northern Michigan.
Every ACR/ARP member can advance rheumatology by being an advocate for rheumatology issues, practices and patients. Find tools and resources from the ACR to guide your advocacy journey.
