Editor’s note: The new Pillar Talk column is developed by the ARHP Executive Committee in an effort to share information about ongoing activities related to our four pillars: Education, Practice, Research and Advocacy.
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ARHP volunteers are actively involved in the ACR’s efforts to advocate for the care of our patients and the rheumatology professionals who provide such care. A key area of focus over the past year has been to address changes proposed by the new administration regarding healthcare provision and reimbursement for rheumatology professionals who provide that care. The ACR/ARHP committees at the center of this effort are the Government Affairs Committee (GAC) and RheumPAC. The efforts of the Affiliate Society Council, the Committee on Rheumatologic Care, the Board of Directors and the ACR and ARHP Executive Committees are also critical aspects of our advocacy efforts.
Members of GAC meet monthly to monitor federal and state legislative issues that affect rheumatology professionals and patients. The committee creates position papers and develops agendas for the legislative efforts of the ACR.
Every year, the ACR/ARHP holds two major advocacy events in Washington, D.C.: the Leadership Conference in March and Advocates for Arthritis in September. During these events, ACR/ARHP volunteers and patients are provided education related to key issues and then make organized visits to legislators and their staff to help raise awareness of critical issues that affect rheumatology patients and the physicians and health professionals who provide their care. These visits are fun, informative and crucial to ensuring that the welfare of our patients and those who care for them are considered.
The committee also focuses efforts to raise awareness of the importance of advocacy and current issues for ACR/ARHP members through updates at the Annual Meeting and the advocacy website.
RheumPAC
RheumPAC is the ACR/ARHP’s nonpartisan political action committee. It was created 10 years ago with the mission of educating, electing and supporting federal lawmakers who understand and can positively address the issues that impact rheumatology professionals and patients. RheumPAC creates opportunities for the ACR to educate key policymakers on the importance and value of rheumatology. The ACR/ARHP’s top public policy priorities, as identified by GAC and approved by the ACR Board of Directors, can be adequately addressed only when legislators understand the extent and impact of rheumatology-related policy issues.
RheumPAC Chair Harry Gewanter, MD, is a pediatric rheumatologist and indefatigable booster of our advocacy efforts. The ARHP committee representatives include Victoria Merrell, PA-C, MPT, a physician assistant and Nilsa Cruz, BS, a practice manager.
Candidates are recommended for support by ACR/ARHP members and our advocacy staff. We consider many factors for candidate contributions (e.g., voting record, committee assignments, leadership, number of members in district, etc.) and make funding recommendations based on available resources. RheumPAC members review these recommendations and the committee has final approval of the list of supported candidates. RheumPAC is bipartisan and determines candidates’ eligibility for support on the basis of their past support for policies that directly affect rheumatology or their ability to further our goals in their position in Congress. All U.S.-based ACR/ARHP members are welcome to suggest candidates for support. Find out more about these efforts.
Member Outreach & Key Issues
Over the next year and beyond, advocacy efforts will continue to focus on key federal and state issues affecting rheumatology.
The proposed repeal and replacement of the American Health Care Act is a key issue being closely monitored. The ACR/ARHP has written to leaders in the U.S. Senate emphasizing the need for revisions to include coverage and support for necessary rheumatologic treatments. Our rapid response team has had timely statements from ACR President Sharad Lakhanpal, MD, picked up in widely read venues, including The Washington Post, The Hill, Morning Consult and other publications. The goal is to ensure affordable coverage and access to lifesaving medications for Americans living with rheumatic diseases.
Other key priorities include legislation to expand the rheumatology workforce, the repeal of Medicare therapy caps that limit access to rehabilitation and chronic disease management services in the outpatient setting, legislation to support the repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), and support for funding of medical research for rheumatic diseases, including a dedicated research budget for medical research related to arthritis for the Department of Defense.
The ACR also monitors key federal and state legislative and regulatory issues, such as biosimilars, MACRA, “downcoding” of biologic infusions, appropriate reimbursements and the impact of travel bans and H-1B visa regulations. Many opportunities to have a positive influence at a regional level exist through local state societies, community and institutional programs that raise awareness and support for patients.
Advocates for Arthritis will bring rheumatology professionals and patients together to advocate for rheumatology in Washington, D.C., Sept. 24–26. The program includes training, guest speakers and pre-arranged visits with senators and representatives in Congress to raise awareness of key issues impacting our patients and caregivers. This past year, nearly 100 ACR advocates representing 31 states and the District of Columbia visited 116 Capital Hill offices.
What can you do?
- Visit the Legislative Action Center, where you can get updates on key legislative issues affecting the rheumatology community, link to federal and state advocacy initiatives, tools and resources, and learn more about the 2017 Advocates for Arthritis event.
- Look for opportunities to partner and engage with your professional organizations in advocacy that supports our patients and your profession.
- Donate to RheumPAC to support nonpartisan political education and action for issues that impact rheumatology patients and caregivers.
All citizens have the right to advocate! That’s the beauty of our democratic system.
We are grateful for our outstanding staff support, enthusiastic learners and dedicated GAC and RheumPAC members and small project volunteers. If rheumatology advocacy issues are an interest of yours, consider volunteering as a committee member or small project volunteer in the coming year. If interested, take a few moments to complete the Volunteer Opportunities Survey. Please direct any questions or feedback regarding this article to [email protected].
Janet Stevens, BA, the ARHP executive committee liaison on GAC, has worked in academic rheumatology for more than 17 years. She has been a rheumatology division administrator at the University of Michigan for the past 10 years.
ARHP President Afton L. Hassett, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and an associate research scientist in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Michigan. As a principal investigator at the Chronic Pain & Fatigue Research Center, she conducts interdisciplinary research exploring the role of cognitive, affective and behavioral factors in pain and function in rheumatologic populations.