Join Dr. Belinda Birnbaum, a rheumatology expert, and Lennie Shewmaker McDaniel, a legal advocate, as they bring a fresh perspective on the importance of advocacy in rheumatology. They discuss how the American College of Rheumatology impacts legislation on Capitol Hill, including pivotal issues like pharmacy benefit manager transparency and step therapy challenges. The duo emphasizes the rewarding role that individuals can play in advocacy efforts, encouraging engagement to enhance patient care and drive significant healthcare reforms.
Advocacy within rheumatology is essential for addressing systemic barriers and influencing policy changes that improve patient care and access.
Engaging in advocacy not only combats clinician burnout but also fosters community and provides a significant impact on healthcare reform.
Deep dives
Convergence 2023 and Advocacy Focus
Convergence 2023 is set to take place in San Diego from November 10th to 15th, featuring advancements in rheumatology and opportunities for networking amongst professionals. This event emphasizes the importance of advocacy within the field as the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) engages in continuous dialogue about patient care improvements. Advocacy efforts are crucial as they address significant challenges faced by rheumatologists, including issues of healthcare access and systemic barriers that patients encounter, especially those related to insurance and financial limitations. Attendees are encouraged to participate actively in advocacy initiatives to support legislative reforms that impact rheumatologic care.
Role of the ACR in Advocacy
The ACR plays a pivotal role in advocating for rheumatologists and patients alike by addressing key healthcare policies that affect practice management and healthcare delivery. Specific advocacy topics include the push for transparency from pharmaceutical benefit managers and reforms regarding step therapy protocols, which impact patient treatment continuity. The Government Affairs Committee has been instrumental in cultivating relationships with congressional staff to educate them on these issues and advocate for legislative actions that benefit rheumatology practices. By sharing data and patient experiences, committee members highlight the necessity of these reforms for better patient outcomes and increased access to necessary treatments.
Personal Involvement in Advocacy
Involvement in advocacy is emphasized as an effective way for rheumatologists to combat feelings of burnout and helplessness stemming from complex healthcare challenges. Engaging in advocacy provides professionals with a tangible means to influence policy and improve conditions for patients, making their efforts feel more impactful. Initiatives such as VoteER demonstrate how clinicians can encourage civic engagement among patients, particularly those from underserved communities. The connections formed through advocacy work and professional organizations like ACR not only enhance personal fulfillment but also foster a sense of community among healthcare professionals.
Impact of Legislative Changes and Engagement
Recent legislative successes highlight the impact of sustained advocacy efforts within rheumatology, showcasing the importance of engaging both patients and providers in the political process. Initiatives like the pediatric subspecialty loan repayment program and increased funding for research into rheumatic diseases exemplify how advocacy directly influences healthcare funding and access. As issues like drug pricing and Medicare reimbursement continue to evolve, rheumatologists are called upon to stay informed and actively participate in these discussions to ensure that their needs and those of their patients are addressed. Ultimately, collective involvement in advocacy efforts leads to meaningful change in healthcare policy, ultimately benefiting both providers and patients.
Most may find the topic of advocacy to be uninteresting or too big to tackle with such busy schedules. However, our guests this week, Dr. Belinda Birnbaum, MD and Lennie Shewmaker McDaniel, JD, truly breathe life into this matter while explaining the role the American College of Rheumatology has on Capitol Hill and how you (yes YOU) can play an important and rewarding role. We discuss what RheumPAC is, how the ACR identifies key issues affecting our patients, highlight past successes of the ACR’s advocacy group, plus cover important issues currently being presented to Congress such as “Transparency within Pharmacy Benefit Managers” and “Challenges of Step Therapy”.
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