Senator Lincoln Accepts Rheumatology Award during Advocacy Leadership Conference
March 23, 2011
On March 13-15 ACR and ARHP committee members congregated in Washington, D.C. to attend the ACR's Advocacy Leadership conference.
On Monday, March 14 David Borenstein, MD, ACR President presented former Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) with the 2010 ACR Award for Public Leadership in Rheumatology. Senator Lincoln was named the award recipient for her leadership and dedication to the Medicare Fracture Prevention & Osteoporosis Testing Act in the 111th Congress. The legislation would have restored funding for preventative osteoporosis screenings. Senator Lincoln played an integral role in securing the DXA relief provision in the final health reform bill. She is a true champion for access to affordable bone density screenings and the rheumatology community. Senator Lincoln spoke about her passion for preventative osteoporosis testing and the need for individuals to become more involved in the legislative process.
After Senator Lincoln's speech, the ACR hosted an educational session to update members on the current climate in Washington and hot topics in health policy. Attendees heard from Cindy Brown, Vice President of Congressional Affairs for the American Medical Association, Stephen Katz, MD, PhD, Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Senator Tim Hutchinson, Dickstein-Shapiro, LLC and Aiken Hackett, MPA, ACR Director of Government Affairs.
The ACR was honored to have J. P. Paluskiewicz, Health Legislative Assistant to Congressman Michael Burgess, MD (R-Texas) as the key note speaker Monday evening. Mr. Paluskiewicz gave a health policy outlook for the 112th Congress.
On Tuesday, March 15 ACR and ARHP committee members converged on Capitol Hill to attend over 150 meetings with members of Congress and their staff. Click here to see pictures from their meetings.
Advocates for Arthritis Application Period Opens June 6.
Mark your calendars. The application period for Advocates for Arthritis opens June 6. The conference will be held September 19-20 in Washington, D.C. The ACR is looking for passionate ACR and ARHP members as well as patient advocates to educate Congress on issues affecting rheumatology professionals and patients.
