Once you have a relationship with your elected official, consider offering to assemble a group of patients, physicians and other healthcare professionals who could advise your representative on healthcare-related issues. Rheumatologists, consider inviting a member of your congressional delegation to your office, hospital or clinic for an onsite visit. By showing them examples of the day-to-day concerns of patient care delivery, you enable them to become especially sensitive to practice issues.
To get started, visit the ACR’s advocacy webpage for the latest news on the College’s advocacy efforts. Need some help? Contact ACR Government Affairs at [email protected] or 404-633-3777 for help with your advocacy activities.
Christina D. Downey, MD, is chair of the ACR’s Government Affairs Committee and an associate professor of rheumatology and division chief at Loma Linda University, Calif. The opinions expressed are her own and she does not speak on behalf of her employer.
