Years ago, while visiting Capitol Hill, the reaction to “I am a rheumatologist” was a blank stare. We are beginning to see a change. This month, the ACR will be on Capitol Hill for Advocates for Arthritis, a yearly opportunity for rheumatologists, health professionals, and patients to join forces and share our message with Congress. This year, we will have more than 125 attendees from across the country spreading the word. Together, we will walk the halls of Congress educating our legislators on what rheumatology is and why patients need access to rheumatologists.
In addition to our efforts on The Hill, the ACR will launch its new public relations initiative, Simple Tasks. The initiative has a strong focus on ensuring that influencers, such as members of Congress, understand the problems affecting our patients and how rheumatologists help manage those problems. Simple Tasks aims to elevate the importance of rheumatology, increase understanding of the work of rheumatologists, and lay a foundation of awareness and understanding. The campaign focuses on the simple tasks such as brushing teeth or tying shoes that can become impossible because of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. As rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals, we know that these diseases are more than aches and pains and more than a part of getting older. Simple Tasks will help lawmakers and administration officials (as well as other influencers) better understand the hardships our patients face.
We have made progress. Now, on congressional visits when I say I am a rheumatologist, the first response isn’t a quizzical look….The ACR’s presence in Washington is recognized.
Rheumatology’s Progress
We have made progress. Now, on congressional visits when I say I am a rheumatologist, the first response isn’t a quizzical look. Through frequent meetings with Congress, grassroots action from the members such as yourself, and RheumPAC’s ability to open doors to key members of Congress, the ACR’s presence in Washington is recognized.
Since I became president last November, the ACR has met with Donald Berwick, MD, the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Payment Advisory Committee that recommends payment policy for this Federal program, and CMS Director of Medicare Management Jonathon Blum. Tim Laing, MD, chair of the Government Affairs Committee, and I, along with the presidents of other medical societies and executive officers of major medical centers, attended a meeting with Ezekiel Emanuel, MD, head of the Department of Bioethics at the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health, and Dr. Berwirk to discuss the organization of medical practices in light of the new health care reform law.
