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An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Advocates for Arthritis, We’ll See You on the Hill

  |  Issue: November 2007  |  

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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.

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On the morning of Feb. 25, various divisions of the HHS and Food and Drug Administration and members of Congress will address current issues affecting physicians and rheumatologists.

Following the morning program, there will be a training session lead by ACR lobbyists Martie Kendrick and Bret Koplow, PhD, of the D.C.-based law firm Patton Boggs. The session will brief participants on current legislative issues and offer tips on how to effectively meet with Congress members.

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On Feb. 26, groups will go to Capitol Hill for scheduled visits with members of Congress. When scheduling Capitol Hill appointments, the ACR will target Congressional members on key committees, including Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Senate Finance; Senate Aging; House Energy and Commerce; House Ways and Means; and both Senate and House Appropriations.

If you want to participate, contact Aiken Hackett at [email protected], or visit the advocacy booth at the 2007 Annual Scientific Meeting.

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