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.
The truth is that being an advocate is as simple as communicating with your elected officials. And this communication is much easier—and can have a greater effect—than you may think.
Ready to Mentor the Next Generation?
The ACR REF preceptorship awards introduce medical students to rheumatology as a possible career path by connecting them with a mentor (preceptor) for a hands-on, real-world learning experience focused on rheumatology.
Applications for REF preceptorship awards are available online now and are due February 1, 2008.
For more information on these award opportunities, including eligibility requirements and award terms, applying for an award, or viewing a list of current award recipients, visit www.rheumatology.org/REF or contact the REF at [email protected].
- ACR REF/Abbott Health Professional Graduate Student Research Preceptorship: Introduces students to rheumatology-related health care by supporting a graduate student’s full-time research in the broad area of rheumatic disease. Only students enrolled in graduate school are eligible to participate.
- ACR REF/Abbott Medical Student Clinical Preceptorship: This award introduces medical students to rheumatology by supporting a full-time clinical experience. Only students enrolled in LCME- or AOA COCA–accredited medical schools are eligible to participate.
- ACR REF/Abbott Medical Student Research Preceptorship: This award introduces medical students to rheumatology by supporting a full-time research experience. Only students enrolled in LCME- or AOA COCA–accredited medical schools are eligible to participate.
- ACR REF Resident Research Preceptorship: Introduces residents to the specialty of rheumatology by supporting a full-time research experience. Only residents enrolled in an ACGME-accredited training program in internal medicine, pediatrics, or med/peds are eligible to participate
Rheumatologists and their patients are currently advocating for the “Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2007”; the “Access to Medicare Imaging Act of 2007,” a solution to the Medicare physician reimbursement payment system; the reauthorization of State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP); and increased National Institutes of Health funding.
The ACR has made advocating for issues of importance even easier by providing a Legislative Action Center, a user-friendly Web site where you can contact your elected officials. This Web site is www.capwiz.com/acr.
By visiting the Legislative Action Center, you can contact Congress directly and discover other ways of communicating with elected officials. The most common ways of contacting Congress include:
Telephone Your Elected Officials
To find your senators’ and representative’s phone numbers, use our searchable online congressional directory or call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your senators’ or representative’s office. Remember that telephone calls are usually taken by a staff member, not the member of Congress. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the issue about which you wish to comment.
After identifying yourself, tell the aide you would like to leave a brief message, such as: “Please tell Senator/Representative (Name) that I support/oppose (S.___/H.R.___).” Then state reasons for your support or opposition to the bill. Ask for your senators’ or representative’s position on the bill. You may also request a written response to your telephone call.
Write Congress
The letter is the most popular choice of communication with a congressional office. If you decide to write a letter, this list of helpful suggestions will improve the effectiveness of the letter:
- State the purpose of your letter in the first paragraph. If your letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, identify it accordingly (e.g., House bill: H.R. ____, Senate bill: S.____);
- Be courteous and to the point and include key information, using examples to support your position; and
- Address only one issue in each letter. If possible, keep the letter to one page.
For more information on communicating with elected officials, and for tips on making that communication successful, contact Aiken Hackett at [email protected] or by phone at (404) 633-3777.