Calling your legislators toll-free by using the American Medical Association Grassroots Hotline at (800) 833-6354. Simply enter in your zip code to reach your representative and senators.
E-mailing your legislator through the ACR’s legislative action center at www.capwiz.com/acr. Here, you can also find your legislator’s fax number. The more personal your contact is, the more effective it will be. Make sure to use personal stories and anecdotes when discussing an issue with a legislator.
Members of Congress are busy people, so make sure you are up to date on the issue you want to discuss and are clear about your support or opposition to the issue. You can find the most up-to-date information on the ACR’s legislative priorities at www.rheumatology.org/advocacy.
Attending a Town Hall Meeting
Many Members of Congress hold town halls when they are in their home states, and they are usually more accessible at home than when they are in Washington, D.C. This is a great opportunity for you to discuss issues of importance to rheumatology professionals.
Contributing to RheumPAC
RheumPAC is the political action committee dedicated to increasing the ACR’s presence on Capitol Hill. RheumPAC supports the ACR’s efforts to build contacts, influence, and visibility within Washington, D.C. RheumPAC also increases the ACR’s access to members of Congress and provides the opportunity to educate them on issues of importance to rheumatology. Visit www.rheumatology.org/RheumPAC to contribute or contact Katie Jones at (404) 633-3777 or [email protected] for more information.
There is no better advocate for rheumatology issues than an actual rheumatology professional. Through the ACR’s advocacy efforts and RheumPAC, you can have a greater impact on the future of rheumatology by influencing health policy on Capitol Hill.