2007 Archived Advocates of the Month
December “Advocate of the Month”
The ACR would like to recognize ACR Fellows Subcommittee Chairman, Will Harvey, MD, as the December “Advocate of the Month” for his dedication to increasing advocacy efforts within the ACR. As a previous Government Affairs Committee member and Fellows liaison, Dr. Harvey recognizes the importance of advocacy and frequently encourages not only the Fellows, but other ACR/ARHP members to contact Congress and participate in ACR Advocacy events. He participated in the 2007 “Advocates for Arthritis” Fly-In and has encouraged Advocacy List Serve members and ACR Fellows to attend the 2008 event which is scheduled for February 25-26.
The ACR appreciates Dr. Harvey’s passion and especially his encouragement to the younger generation of the ACR to get involved in advocacy efforts.
November “Advocate of the Month”
The ACR would like to recognize Joseph Flood, MD, for his leadership and dedication as Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee. Over the past three years, Dr. Flood has been a strong advocate and inspiring leader to committee members and ACR/ARHP members as a whole.
Dr. Flood is rotating off the Government Affairs Committee this month however it is certain he will continue to be a strong force in ACR advocacy efforts. Dr. Flood, the ACR appreciates your inspirational leadership and commitment to the Committee and the College.
October “Advocate of the Month”
ACR Board member and pediatric rheumatologist at Stanford University, Dr. Christy Sandborg, recently informed Congress at the ACR-AF Legislative Briefing on issues that affect pediatric rheumatologists and their patients. With the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) at a stalemate, it is essential that Congress and the White House reach a compromise so that uninsured children can have access to adequate care. Dr. Sandborg urged Congress to support this essential legislation.
The ACR would like to recognize Dr. Christy Sandborg as the October “Advocate of the Month” for her participation in the ACR’s first Legislative Briefing.
September “Advocate of the Month”
The ACR would like to extend its utmost appreciation to those ACR members who also hold membership cards to the American Medical Association (AMA). Your participation in that organization allows the ACR and rheumatologists to have influence in the AMA’s public policy priorities and benefit from their strong political lobby.
The ACR appreciates EVERY SINGLE ACR-AMA member. We would like to recognize each of you as the ACR September “Advocates of the Month”.
Advocacy is not just contacting Congress and displaying an easel. Advocacy includes a number of areas, including a commitment to the AMA.
August “Advocate of the Month”
ACR member Dr. Enrico Arguelles of Billings, MT, hosted William Wynne, Health Counsel, Senate Finance Committee, at his practice on Tuesday, August 7. The Finance Committee oversees Medicare and Medicaid payments. Mr. Wynne toured the facility, spoke with patients receiving infusion drugs and discussed at length issues affecting rheumatology practices which included reimbursements, electronic medical records (EMR) and access to care, specifically DXA. Dr. Arguelles met with Mr. Wynne, as well as Senator Max Baucus, in Washington, D.C, in February 2007, and has maintained contact with him, a perfect example of excellent advocacy.
The ACR appreciates Dr. Arguelles continued commitment to ACR advocacy efforts and we would like to recognize him as the ACR August “Advocate of the Month”.
July “Advocate of the Month”
ARHP Advocacy Subcommittee Member Joyce Goggins, MPH, has worked diligently to develop a Grid of Legislators that records Members of Congress’ support of the “Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act of 2007”. This spreadsheet provides the ACR Government Affairs Committee, the ARHP Advocacy Subcommittee, and all advocates guidance on targeting Members of Congress and has improved additional support. You may locate the Grid by going to: http://www.rheumatology.org/advocacy/federal/07LegislatorListing.asp.
The ACR appreciates Ms. Goggins commitment to ACR advocacy efforts and we would like to recognize her as the ACR July “Advocate of the Month”.
June “Advocate of the Month”
Dr. Mel Britton will be retiring as the ACR AMA House of Delegate (HOD) representative this month. As the ACR HOD representative, Dr. Britton has demonstrated a sincere dedication to ACR advocacy efforts, to rheumatology as a specialty and physicians as a profession. A very active member of the ACR, Dr. Britton has been nominated as Vice-Chairman of the newly created ACR Political Action Committee (RheumPAC) Committee which will allow ACR/ARHP members to unite funds to contribute to political candidates and increase our presence in Washington.
The American College of Rheumatology appreciates Dr. Britton’s commitment to ACR advocacy efforts and we would like to recognize him as the ACR June “Advocate of the Month”.
May “Advocate of the Month”
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) would like to recognize the ACR Board of Directors as the May "Advocates of the Month" for advocacy efforts during their recent Hill visits. The ACR continues to increase its presence on Capitol Hill. We appreciate the Board scheduling their meeting in our nation's capital and taking the time to speak to Members of Congress on issues that affect rheumatologists and their patients.
While meeting in D.C., the Board and senior staff at the ACR conducted Capitol Hill visits meeting with their respective Congressional delegations. Among the highlights of the visit was the Wednesday evening speaker Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) who is Chairman of the Energy & Commerce subcommittee on Health as well as face-time with the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) who is also the original co-sponsor of the "Arthritis Prevention Control and Cure Act of 2007" (S.626).
Overall, the Board met with over 60 offices and lobbied for the ACR's 2007 legislative priorities. The priorities include encouraging support of the Arthritis Act, fixing the flawed SGR formula, revoking the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 imaging cuts, specifically DXA, and increasing NIH funding.
The ACR faxed letters to previous co-sponsors of the Arthritis Act of 2005 before the Board made their Capitol Hill visits to urge Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Act of 2007. The ACR also encouraged its members to contact their Members of Congress and urge support of this legislation. The ACR was well-received and is expecting additional co-sponsors this week as a result of our visits and grassroots advocacy.
April “Advocate of the Month”
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) would like to recognize Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal and Dr. Al Denio as the April “Advocates of the Month” for their outstanding commitment to the ACR Advocacy efforts.
Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal used his long political involvement in obtaining Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chairman of the Energy & Commerce subcommittee on Health, as the keynote speaker for the ACR Board of Director’s meeting in Washington, D.C, this May. Rep. Pallone’s committee has jurisdiction over general healthcare issues, including the Arthritis Prevention Control and Cure Act of 2007 (H.R.1283). The ACR looks forward to developing a relationship with Rep. Pallone.
Dr. Al Denio demonstrated impressive leadership by inviting his Congresswoman, Rep. Thelma Drake (R-VA), to visit his office on Thursday, April 5, during Congress’ Spring Recess. During the visit, Rep. Drake witnessed DXA (duel-energy x-ray absorptiometry) screenings and the value of having the procedure performed in an office as opposed to a hospital. She spoke to a patient receiving intravenous biologic therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis. As a result of the visit, Rep. Drake signed on as a co-sponsor to the Arthritis Prevention Control and Cure Act of 2007 and agreed to write a letter to CMS regarding IV ibandronate. Allowing Congress to witness first hand the daily routines within a rheumatology office gives them great perspective on the severity of the patients, importance of the procedures, reflects the reimbursement needs of physicians and the necessity for research of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
The ACR sends their utmost appreciation to Dr. Lakhanpal and Dr. Denio for their outstanding advocacy efforts. We encourage other ACR members and advocates to strengthen their relationships with Congress and inform the ACR of their activities.
To view photos of Rep. Thelma Drake’s visit to Dr. Denio’s office, please click here.
