How Will We Get the Influencers to Listen to Us?
The answer is by building relationships. Healthcare is changing and will continue to change—we must ensure that the interests of rheumatologists and our patients are considered when important decisions are being made. This year we have set new records in the number of Capitol Hill visits we have made (185 in September alone) and contributions to RheumPAC (over $120,000). Simple Tasks is taking hold on the Hill. Many lawmakers have seen our advertisements, received campaign materials, and reviewed the campaign white paper and videos! We have built new, expanded relationships with the American College of Physicians (they have 130,000 members to our 9,000) and fellow subspecialty societies and helped to lead newer coalitions such as the Coalition for Accessible Treatments and Cognitive Specialty Coalition. We have also been successful in keeping a rheumatology seat at the American Medical Association (many thanks to all of you last-minute joiners). These collaborations have lead to the introduction of important bills, including a Sustainable Growth Rate fix that would give a pay bump to rheumatologists and a bill to prohibit Tier IV pricing. These are all important, but we can—and, with your help, will—do better.
How Will Rheumatology Remain Relevant?
The answer is with all of the above: Simple Tasks, having the data to demonstrate our value, building our Capitol Hill relationships, partnering with other organizations, and, importantly, taking credible positions on key healthcare issues. Our guidelines, our decision to provide certification and reasonableness criteria for musculoskeletal ultrasound, and the upcoming release of our “top five” list for the Choosing Wisely campaign are important examples of the latter.
Where Will the Next Generation Come From?
Our academic institutions are responsible for the training of our entire workforce. The health and vitality of rheumatology divisions are responsible for making people interested in our specialty in the first place. Without robust divisions, there will be no next generation of rheumatologists and health professionals to take care of patients with rheumatic disease, let alone answer the next generation of questions. The economic stresses of the last few years and healthcare changes have precipitated a funding crisis that severely threatens the future of many, if not most, of these divisions. We are deeply indebted to Michael Holers, MD, and David Fox, MD, who have led a talented group of volunteers on the Blue Ribbon Panel on Academic Rheumatology. Their report was presented to the ACR board of directors in November and will help guide the way to a brighter future.