Often, lawmakers are unaware of how much rheumatic disease affects Americans and the disparity in research funding for these conditions. Having frequent conversations with lawmakers helps bring awareness, and RheumPAC donations promote those lawmakers who support our issues.
Kristine Kuhn, MD, PhD
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora
Resonance
Rheumatologists need to understand that RheumPAC is one of the only mechanisms whereby we can try to influence and affect the opinions of our legislators with regard to issues that are critical to the survival and well-being of all rheumatology providers and their patients.
Although we cannot compare our financial clout to that of the insurance, pharmaceutical and other special interest groups, our voice carries a much louder resonance with lawmakers because of RheumPAC, which can convey to lawmakers the number of constituents affected and the need to take care of their issues.
RheumPAC serves every rheumatologist’s well-being as demonstrated by—among other successes—recent reimbursement changes in our favor and the success of our advocacy showing that the implementation of proposed revisions to reimbursement guidelines for in-office infusion and other treatments would have closed practices.
Keeping RheumPAC well funded is critical and essential to our survival as a specialty.
Norman Gaylis, MD
Arthritis & Rheumatic Disease Specialties
Aventura, Fla.
Stewardship
The advocacy work of the College through RheumPAC is essential and offers an opportunity to engage with legislative leaders and discuss issues important to our patients and the entire rheumatology team caring for them.
My time and financial commitment to these efforts provide personal and professional satisfaction, as we strive to improve the lives of our patients and our ability to care for them with dignity, equality and respect.
I also appreciate the judicious stewardship decisions of RheumPAC when using my financial contributions to help meet the needs of all College stakeholders.
Hazel Breland, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, CLA
Medical University of South Carolina
Columbia
Relationships
I donate to RheumPAC because I have seen firsthand how it creates relationships between the ACR and lawmakers. These relationships allow our advocates to find out what is happening on Capitol Hill and intervene on behalf of our profession and our patients. This year, for example, CMS raised reimbursement for the care we provide and paused the latest ill-conceived demonstration project that would have cut infusion services we provide—all as a result of tireless advocacy of many people.
Even the most well-meaning government officials will always require our input about the complex nature of our work in the context of the larger U.S. medical system. RheumPAC helps us provide that critical input.
