Responders to the recent ACR membership survey emphasized the importance of political advocacy for their practices and institutions. RheumPAC, the ACR’s political action committee, was created in February 2007 to focus on the legislative issues affecting the rheumatology community.
Fredrica Smith, MD, Appointed to Practicing Physicians Advisory Council (PPAC)
Fredrica Smith, MD, a rheumatologist in Los Alamos, N.M., was recently invited to become a part of the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council (PPAC), a congressionally mandated council that advises the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and the administrator of CMS on proposed changes in regulations.
American College of Rheumatology (ACR) on Capitol Hill
“By tomorrow night, there will be so many more people on Capitol Hill who know—and are sensitive to—rheumatology and the issues that impact you and your patients. There is no substitute for what you are doing,” says Martha M. Kendrick, a partner at Patton Boggs, LLP, the ACR’s lobbying firm. This is what she told the physician, health professional, and patient participants of the ACR’s 2008 “Advocates for Arthritis” advocacy event—termed a fly-in—before they took their personal stories to the lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Advocacy and More
A week in the life of the ACR
Meet the Affiliate Society Council
The Affiliate Society Council (ASC), a subcommittee of the Committee on Rheumatologic Care, will replace the Regional Advisory Council as a support mechanism for the ACR when working with rheumatology programs at the local and national level. It launched in January. The ASC and the ACR will work in conjunction with state and local societies on practice advocacy issues and create best practices for information sharing.
How to Communicate with Elected Officials
Some people shy away from advocating for issues that are important to them because they feel it is too difficult, think their voice and opinions won’t make a difference, or feel it will be too time consuming to become an advocate.
Plan for Success in 2008
We’re ready for the rewards and challenges of the coming year
Advocates for Arthritis, We’ll See You on the Hill
The annual ACR Advocates for Arthritis program will be held in Washington, D.C., Feb. 25–26, 2008. As in previous years, physicians, health professionals and patients will visit congressional offices to discuss current legislation that would advance research, prevention and care for patients with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
Voices on the Hill
On September 19, the ACR and the Arthritis Foundation held a joint legislative briefing to inform Congress members and their staff about the devastating effects of arthritis and related rheumatic diseases, as well as to encourage support of the “Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2007” (S.626/H.R. 1283), or Arthritis Act.
Grassroots: Take Action
Wondering what can you do to effectively promote rheumatology issues in Washington? Here are some ways you can get involved…
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