The first day of the Advocates for Arthritis meeting is a series of informative lectures covering those short-fuse issues that need to be addressed in a timely manner. The 2007 meeting included discussions about the SGR fix, promoting the passage of the “Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act,” DXA reimbursement legislation, and a funding bill for NIH. These talks are educational on two fronts. First, they set the agenda for what we actually hope to accomplish while on Capitol Hill and give a nice overview of how our government actually functions. Second, they are presented by legislative aides and other health experts, are of high quality, and are quite entertaining.
The second day is spent on Capitol Hill reviewing talking points with members of Congress or their legislative assistants—giving advocates the opportunity to put our frustrations and concerns into words and direct those words to the people who need to hear them and can make a change.
What My Advocacy Efforts Have Taught Me
While I have been impressed with the fund of knowledge demonstrated by our local senators and representatives regarding our struggles, I also have learned that our squeaky wheel is not squeaking loudly enough. Congress seems unwilling to legislate positive change unless there is a significant quantity of votes on the table. Additionally, since all politics are local, I have found it helpful to develop a face-to-face relationship with my hometown legislators, because it is much easier to persuade when talking to a familiar face.
Through my advocacy efforts, I have met many passionate people who share a desire to get our message out. I am confident that, with enough voices, we will convince lawmakers in Washington, D.C., that ours is a unique specialty that will continue to play a significant role in improving the health of our fellow citizens.