In 2022, Advocacy 101 Returns to Washington, D.C.

Everyday Expertise

For rheumatologists who may feel they aren’t informed enough to engage in advocacy, Mr. Redinger points to an additional function of the meeting—giving attendees the confidence to engage in advocacy by emphasizing the value of their expertise on rheumatology issues based on their everyday experiences of practicing in the field.

“In the past, Advocacy 101 attendees have become our most involved advocates when it comes to sending messages to their lawmakers, donating to RheumPAC and attending future fly-ins,” he said. “We hope that remains the case for this year’s group going forward.”

Mary Beth Nierengarten is a freelance medical journalist based in Minneapolis.

As the medications for rheumatology become more expensive, the need for patient financial assistance becomes paramount. Unfortunately, commercially insured patients are finding it difficult to afford the exorbitant copays required by their plans, and the latest strategy of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) threatens to derail rheumatologic treatment goals. High deductible plans combined with copay accumulator…

If passed, the ACR-authored resolution will direct the AMA to advocate for copay accumulator bans at state and federal levels. Several other specialties and state medical associations have joined the resolution as cosponsors.

The growing use of copay accumulator programs, which restrict the application of patient assistance funds toward cost-sharing requirements, hurts patient access to life-changing treatments. This was one topic discussed during the ACR’s Advocacy Leadership Conference in D.C. this May.

At my first Advocacy Leadership Conference as a member of the ACR’s Insurance Subcommittee, I discovered the power of stories from the clinic and how lawmakers value clinicians’ input on healthcare legislation.

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