Why I Advocate for Arthritis: A Rheumatologist’s Perspective

Dr. Morris

Are you an Advocate for Arthritis? If not, you need to ask yourself, “Why not?” Every day, we practitioners bemoan the hassles we get from insurance carriers and Medicare, the plethora of new regulations and requirements foisted upon us by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the increased expense we see without a corresponding increase in reimbursement. Our patients also have a harder time accessing new treatments due to excessive copays or Medicare Part D rules. Yet, too many of us do too little to respond to these assaults on our ability to provide our patients quality rheumatic care.

One problem we face is that medical education focuses heavily on the science of medicine, while the other components of medical practice, such as political, business, and organizational aspects, are considered secondary or even unsavory to discuss. In fact, many feel that focusing on these aspects is contrary to the altruistic nature we should have as physicians. Unfortunately, this opens our profession to control by those who may be more concerned with profits than patients. We have also come to understand that medical financing is determined by the federal government.

Last February, as many of us do throughout the year, volunteer leaders from the ACR Government Affairs Committee, RheumPAC, and the Affiliate Society Council met in Washington, D.C. The group visited dozens of congressional offices to advocate for issues important to the sustainability of our specialty and the best care of our patients. We advocated legislation to fix the Sustainable Growth Rate, eliminate excessive cost-sharing practices for Tier IV medications, and increase funding for National Institutes of Health research.

We are a small specialty. But we can have a major impact if more of us are involved in spreading our message. Now is not the time for complacency. If rheumatology is to survive, we all need to step up and be vocal advocates for our patients and our specialty. We all need to be Advocates for Arthritis.

There are many ways we can do this. First, we can support our colleagues who advocate on Capitol Hill by advocating at home. Meet your congressional representative when he or she is home in your district. The Government Affairs Committee and RheumPAC will help schedule a meeting, provide materials and talking points, and help train you. Second, attend the ACR’s annual Capitol Hill fly-in, Advocates for Arthritis. This event brings together rheumatology professionals and patients to advocate on behalf of the rheumatology community. Third, every ACR member should consider joining the Advocacy list serve to stay abreast of and weigh in on developments in public policy.

Another important way to get involved is by giving to RheumPAC, the action arm of the Government Affairs Committee. By supporting the members of Congress who support rheumatology, we can help advance our legislative priorities. Last year, 59 of the 67 campaigns that RheumPAC contributed to won their elections and the ACR had the opportunity to present our message to many members of Congress. I realize the idea of political contributions may be unappealing to some people. However, the reality of modern political life is that we must get the attention of lawmakers in order to educate them and political contributions can help. If we fail to get involved, then our concerns will be sidelined. We must stand up for ourselves and our specialty to ensure that patients with inflammatory diseases get the best, most cost-effective, and most appropriate care.

We must speak for ourselves and our patients, because no one else will speak for us. Advocacy is a necessary activity to educate our elected officials and preserve our ability to provide the best care to our patients. Please join us as we advocate for arthritis. Get started by visiting www.rheumatology.org/advocacy.

Dr. Morris is a rheumatologist at Arthritis Associates in Kingsport, Tenn.