Advocacy is a year-round activity, and engaging with the ACR’s advocacy efforts is possible from home. Congress’ August recess will begin in about a month, and lawmakers will be looking to connect with constituents during this in-district work period. This means that ACR/ARP members will have a great opportunity to engage with their lawmakers to complement the ACR’s formal lobbying efforts. You can download in-depth issue briefs on ACR-supported short-term and long-term reforms to Medicare reimbursement to prepare for August recess engagements.
Your lawmaker may be hosting a town hall, appearing at a community event or hosting an event for constituents at their district office. You can find out about these events by signing up for your representatives’ newsletters. Lawmakers’ websites may also list open hours and district office locations for visits. Some advocates have taken this opportunity to invite their lawmakers to tour their practice to better educate them on the policies that impact the rheumatology care community.
Contributing to RheumPAC, signing up for alerts from the ACR’s Legislative Action Center and taking advantage of Congressional recesses are all crucial components of the ACR’s overall advocacy strategy. Members of Congress rank input from constituents as one of the most impactful advocacy tactics. Your engagement is needed now more than ever. Reach out to Paige Colston, manager of PAC and grassroots engagement, with any questions as you consider how to engage with your lawmaker in the coming months.