I RheumPAC, Do You?

For many years, the ACR board of directors and Government Affairs Committee have done exemplary work in keeping members abreast of legislative regulatory issues that affect all aspects of rheumatology, including patient and physician/healthcare professional issues, education, and research. Through advocacy, the ACR advances rheumatology and fosters excellence in the care of people with, or at risk for, arthritis and rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. One might say that advocacy is a cornerstone of this organization.

One critical component of advocacy is the capability to directly interact with our elected representatives. The Government Affairs Committee and ACR board wrestled with the issue of how to best achieve a closer and more meaningful relationship with Congress, and—after much debate—the decision was made to move forward in a new and more aggressive way.

In 2007, the first ACR Political Action Committee was appointed, with Gary Bryant, MD, named as chair. Shortly after, the moniker “RheumPAC” was applied, and the committee’s work began. It was not without some trepidation that the ACR presented RheumPAC to its members, as the acronym “PAC” generates a variety of emotions. Some feel this is politics at its worst—using dollars to grovel for attention—while others feel equally as strong that representative government requires elections, which require money, which requires people to write checks to support candidates and advance their causes. Others are unmoved by the whole thing, seeing politics as something they cannot affect in any way.

In truth, our board recognized a basic fact of political life: to actually affect healthcare policy as it relates to rheumatology requires relationship building with elected officials. That is what RheumPAC is all about—supporting elected officials and candidates who have shown some sensitivity for understanding how public policy affects the treatment of arthritis and rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. This process includes some financial support, which signals that we have common interests to discuss. Hopefully, this leads to continued support as well as an opportunity to further engage in an ongoing credible and trustworthy dialogue. Critical to opening this door—and ultimately the key to success—is the appropriate and focused use of the dollars that are contributed to RheumPAC by ACR and ARHP members.

It will be argued that RheumPAC uses “my” dollars to support an opposing party with opposing political views or “someone I would never support.” However, it is essential that RheumPAC donors leave their political hats at the door and understand that what your RheumPAC contributions buy is not Democrat, Republican, or Independent, but an opportunity to support elected officials who share your passion for the treatment of patients who suffer from these diseases, for research and teaching, and for the practice of rheumatology. Your RheumPAC committee works hard to focus on these issues, crossing back and forth between the political lines to ensure that we are doing the best we can to advance the healthcare policies that the ACR establishes. All contributions made to candidates are researched, discussed, and voted on by the RheumPAC committee with guidance from ACR staff. The primary criteria used to determine RheumPAC support are that the candidate supports rheumatology-related issues and holds a leadership position or key committee assignment. We welcome and encourage our ACR members’ input, ideas, political assistance, and advice.

The issue is whether you—each member of the ACR and the ARHP—will take a stand for rheumatology issues today. Visit www.rheumatology.org/RheumPAC for more information.

Dr. Engelbrecht is a rheumatologist in the Arthritis and Rheumatic Disease Center at the Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center in Rapid City, S.D., and a RheumPAC committee member.

Illinois Practice First for 100% RheumPAC Participation

Congratulations to the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute in Chicago for 100% RheumPAC participation in 2009!

The eight doctors in this practice made a generous contribution to RheumPAC, the ACR’s political action committee. The practice decided as a whole to donate because of their belief that the ACR needs to become more proactive in the political arena. According to Gerry Eisenberg, MD, a rheumatologist at the institute, “We realize that RheumPAC will increase the presence of rheumatology on Capitol Hill and want to ensure that the ACR is active in the healthcare debate.” RheumPAC assists the ACR in its advocacy efforts by providing more opportunities to meet with members of Congress and educate them on rheumatology-related issues. Supporting candidates fosters relationships and ensures the ACR is a contributor to important healthcare policy discussions.

Physicians from the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute in Chicago. Back row, left to right: John Skosey, Gerry Eisenberg, Al Bello, Pat Schuette. Front row, left to right: Amanda Meyers, Erin Arnold, Mary Moran, Bill Arnold.

If you are interested in learning more about RheumPAC, contact Katie Jones at (404) 633-3777 or [email protected].

Make a Difference—Visit the ACR’s Advocacy Booth

Stop by the ACR’s Advocacy Booth during the 2009 ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting to find out how your advocacy efforts can make a difference in the field of rheumatology. Healthcare reform is moving quickly, and the ACR is working hard to ensure that Congress creates positive and effective healthcare reform.

Find out what you can do to help educate your elected officials on the importance of these issues and about other issues that impact you and your patients.  The Advocacy Booth will have talking points on all ACR legislative priorities, up-to-date information on healthcare reform, and instructions on how to contact your members of Congress. You also can receive information on the ACR’s political action committee, RheumPAC. Stop by and find out what you can do to further rheumatology issues on Capitol Hill.