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An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Legislation & Advocacy

Promoting Arthritis Research to Congress and Others

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The ACR works to promote clinical and basic research in arthritis and musculoskeletal disease through a variety of channels, including advocacy, working directly with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and through the work of the ACR Research and Education Foundation.

RheumPAC: Advance Rheumatology on Capital Hill

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One way to succeed in our mission of advancing rheumatology is to increase the ACR’s presence on Capitol Hill through grassroots and direct lobbying. However, for the rheumatology subspecialty to be most effective we must use all tools available to us, including RheumPAC, the ACR’s nonpartisan political action committee. RheumPAC demonstrates to members of Congress that the rheumatology subspecialty is committed to political action, educating policy makers, and improving healthcare for our patients.

Advocate from Your Office the Week of March 14

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The ACR is urging the 112th Congress to address many issues important to rheumatology including appropriate reimbursement for specialty care, the repeated battle to avert Medicare payment cuts, funding for the pediatric subspecialty loan repayment program, continued fair reimbursement for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans, and the need for increased research funding.

Shape the Future of ARHP

Linda Ehrlich-Jones, PhD, RN  |  

Volunteering can increase perceived self-efficacy, self-esteem, and positive affect, which all can result in enhanced psychological health. Volunteering leads to the opportunity for social interaction or networking many times with individuals with whom you normally would not interact. A 2009 article found that 20% of the volunteers in their study stated that their health had improved since volunteering and that nearly 30% stated that their lives in general were improved in relation to their volunteering. The association between volunteering and greater health and happiness is a definite plus to volunteering in a professional organization such as the ARHP.

2011 Legislative Outlook Important for Rheumatology

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Next year is shaping up to be an important year for rheumatology on Capitol Hill. Issues that remain unresolved by the last Congress include concerns within the Affordable Care Act, the need for a stable Medicare system with fair physician reimbursement, funding for the pediatric subspecialty loan repayment program, and appropriate reimbursement for specialty care. Most congressional leaders, newly elected or re-elected, know very little about arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. That is why it is critical that rheumatology professionals reach out and educate them on the importance of specialty care and the impact these diseases have on one’s quality of life.