In Advocacy, Slow and Steady Wins the Race

However, you don’t have to go to Washington to make an impact with your legislators. There are a number of ways for you to be an ACR advocate.

• Respond to ACR e-mail alerts on needed advocacy actions;
• Contact your U.S. representative and senators (via e-mail, fax, or phone) and educate them on issues affecting the rheumatology;
• Visit your legislators or their district staff at home;
• Attend a town hall meeting;
• Invite your U.S. representative or senator to visit your office;
• Urge other rheumatology professionals and patients to advocate; and
• Learn about RheumPAC by visiting www.rheumatology.org/advocacy today.

Policy making is a slow process across the board—not just on the issues important to the rheumatology community. However, members of Congress listen to you because you are their constituents, and they have been elected to represent your needs in Washington. The ACR’s collective advocacy efforts—educating through communications (e.g., letters, e-mails, and phone calls), in-person visits, presence at town hall meetings, and RheumPAC support—will continue to enhance our presence on Capitol Hill and eventually produce positive health policy for ACR members and your patients.

ACR staff members are available to help you prepare to speak with your members of Congress and can provide information on organizing an office visit, what to expect at a town hall meeting, and specific policy issues. For questions about advocacy, or to start your efforts, e-mail [email protected].