On March 1, automatic sequestration cuts slashed NIH funding by over 5 percent and reduced Medicare funding by 2 percent. These cuts threaten thousands of jobs around the country and severely impact the ability of the NIH to make progress toward life-saving research and new treatments for arthritis and rheumatic diseases. They also impair rheumatologists’ ability to operate their practices and continue to see Medicare patients. The consequences of this could be devastating for patient access to care.

Please use the ACR Legislative Action Center or the grassroots hotline 1-800-833-6354 to urge your members of Congress to protect access to care and restore funding for important medical research.