RheumPAC, the ACR’s Political Action Committee, ensures that the ACR is involved in healthcare reform discussions. RheumPAC representatives have been busy attending fundraisers and educating key congressional members on the ACR’s legislative priorities.
Rep. Allyson Schwarz Speaks at Annual Meeting
Representative Allyson Schwarz (D-Pa.) held a Healthcare Legislative Update at the 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting in Philadelphia, held in October. Rep. Schwartz spoke to a group of rheumatology professionals about the different healthcare proposals currently before Congress. As a key member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Schwartz gave an insider’s view of the healthcare reform debate going on in the House. She was interested in the perspective of the rheumatology community and took questions from the audience. Members of the audience asked the Representative about issues important to rheumatologists, such as access to care, elimination of the sustainable growth rate formula, and medical liability reform.
RheumPAC Supports Two Candidates Who Support Rheumatology
RheumPAC, the ACR’s political action committee (PAC), ensures that the ACR is involved in healthcare reform discussions. RheumPAC representatives have been busy attending fundraisers and educating key congressional members on the ACR’s legislative priorities.
Your Patients Can Make a Difference—Get Them Involved with Advocacy!
Personal stories are the most effective way to communicate an issue to Congress. No one can better illustrate the complex nature of healthcare policy decisions and how they affect medical care than those involved daily in the medical profession.
What Has RheumPAC Done for You Lately?
RheumPAC, the ACR’s political action committee, is dedicated to ensuring that rheumatology issues are addressed in healthcare reform. The best way to make sure the issues affecting rheumatology are being heard is to engage in the discussions and to contribute to congressional campaigns.
AMA House of Delegates Welcomes President Barack Obama
One cannot open a paper, turn on the television, listen to the radio, or surf the Internet without finding something about healthcare reform. This heated topic is at the center of the media and was the focus of the American Medical Association’s (AMA’s) 2009 House of Delegates meeting in June, where President Barack Obama addressed the delegates of the largest physician’s organization in the United States.
I RheumPAC, Do You?
For many years, the ACR board of directors and Government Affairs Committee have done exemplary work in keeping members abreast of legislative regulatory issues that affect all aspects of rheumatology, including patient and physician/healthcare professional issues, education, and research. Through advocacy, the ACR advances rheumatology and fosters excellence in the care of people with, or at risk for, arthritis and rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. One might say that advocacy is a cornerstone of this organization.
Make a Difference by the End of Summer: Contact Congress
The more personal your contact with your elected officials, the more effective it will be. Although a personal discussion with a member of Congress is positive, a meeting or telephone conversation with one of his or her staff is just as valuable.
Board Members Lobby Congress on Arthritis Act and Other Legislative Priorities
The ACR board of directors met in Washington, D.C. May 13–15. The trip began with the board and staff participating in Congressional Insight, a computer-simulation exercise that allows participants to experience some of the pressures and rewards of being a U.S. representative.
Summer of ’09 is Health Reform Time
This summer is an important time for healthcare. Congress and President Barak Obama’s administration are dedicated to creating comprehensive healthcare reform to ensure quality healthcare for all, while considering all aspects of healthcare delivery. Their goal is to create this legislative package this summer.