This month, the ACR board of directors is on Capitol Hill. As leaders of the organization, they have heard the cry of their membership and are dedicating time to address the concerns of the rheumatology community with Congress.
The Future of Medicine Is in Washington—You Should Be, Too
On March 10, the ACR hosted its 2009 “Advocates for Arthritis” fly-in. During this event, over 100 rheumatologists, rheumatology health professionals, and patient advocates walked the halls of Congress to lobby legislators on important issues affecting the rheumatology community.
Identity Theft: Red Flag Rules Take Effect
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has adopted a rule that requires creditors to institute programs to spot suspicious activity (commonly called “red flags”) that may signal identity theft, and the red flag rules take effect May 1, 2009. The FTC defines a creditor as any entity that regularly accepts deferred payment for goods and services.
The Arthritis Act: Where Is It Now? What Can I Do?
In September 2008, the “Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act” passed the House of Representatives. Unfortunately this legislation failed to pass through the Senate and did not become a law. (The Arthritis Act had to be passed in both congressional chambers and signed by the president for the bill to become law.)
Healthcare in the Obama Administration
The ballots are counted, the run-off elections are complete, and a new administration and Congress are set to begin. You may recall that the mock election that was held during the 2008 Annual Scientific Meeting—78% of U.S. meeting attendees chose Barack Obama as their next president—and the general election echoed that choice. On January 20, Barack Obama was sworn in as the United States’ 44th President.
The Language of Lawmaking
Many people shy away from participating in advocacy efforts because they are uncomfortable with the terminology used.
I Am an Advocate
Earlier this year, I was privileged to be part of the ACR’s Advocates for Arthritis advocacy visit. My rheumatologist recommended that I apply for the event, and I was thrilled when I was accepted, even though my acceptance wasn’t necessarily competitive (I was the only patient representative from Delaware).
Key Grassroots Opportunity
Congress is in recess August 11 through September 5. During this time, members of Congress are meeting with constituents in their district offices, so this is a great opportunity for you to…
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.
Aloha from the 2007 AMA House of Delegates Interim Meeting
The 2007 AMA House of Delegates interim meeting was held November 10–13 in Honolulu. The ACR was represented by its delegate, Melvin Britton, MD, and alternate delegate, Gary Bryant, MD.