Newswise — The issues affecting people with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases—and those who treat them—were represented yesterday at a White House event hosted by President Barack Obama. Peter Embi, MD joined over 100 physicians from around the country in the White House Rose Garden for President Barack Obama’s health care reform summit. “I was honored to have this opportunity,” Dr. Embi says. “At a time when health care reform is so close to becoming a reality, I feel privileged to participate in an event that impacts this important issue. Our current health care system just isn’t working for many patients. Far too many are uninsured or underinsured and that results in people frequently going without adequate health care.” Dr. Embi is an associate professor of medicine at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio, a practicing rheumatologist, and a member of the American College of Rheumatology–an organization that works on behalf of rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals—which has been speaking with the Obama administration, White House officials, and Congress about the impact the issues affecting the rheumatology community. “Over 46 million Americans—300,000 of which are children—suffer from arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, says ACR President Sherine Gabriel, MD. “If you aren’t one of these millions, it is likely that you know someone who is, and it is important that rheumatology is represented in health care reform conversations so these millions are considered as laws are passed.” The ACR lobbies on behalf of its members to ensure rheumatology is well-represented in policy decisions. The College focuses on four key areas in health care reform: access to affordable health coverage; access to an adequate health care workforce for arthritis, rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases; access to quality care for these diseases; and cost-effective care without reduction in quality health care. “I was pleased to hear the president lay out his core principles for health insurance reform during the event, including many of the changes we all know are needed so we can spend more time taking care of our patients and less time battling with payors on their behalf,” explains Dr. Embi. As health care reform remains at the forefront of policy discussions, the interests of people with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases will remain at the forefront of the ACR’s advocacy efforts. “The ACR is closely monitoring health care reform legislation and is actively urging Congress to include important provisions for rheumatology professionals and patients with arthritic, rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, explains Sharad Lakhanpal, MD, a practicing rheumatologist in Dallas and the chair of the ACR’s government affairs committee. “The ACR is using both grassroots and lobbying efforts to ensure the concerns and priorities of rheumatology professionals and their patients are considered.”
The ACR’s government affairs committee visited Capitol Hill last month to meet with lawmakers and expand on the issues that would impact health care reform. One of those issues is that treatment of patients with chronic diseases (such as arthritis) is often overlooked and not considered when policy is being written.
“There are many changes needed to effectively reform our current system, and some of these are particularly relevant to the care of patients with complex chronic diseases,” says Dr. Embi. “Those of us who care for such patients often see the consequences of gaps in coverage and high co-pays that can cost patients thousands of dollars a year or keep them from getting the care they need. It's tragic to see people’s disease flare back up just because they can't afford to continue a medication that had been helping them. That’s just one of the things we absolutely need to fix.” Dr. Embi says that while participation in this event was a positive step for his patients and profession, he understands that it is even more important to be a vocal constituent on issues that impact rheumatology and health care overall. “We’re closer than we’ve been in many years to significant health insurance reform. Now is the time to reach out to our representatives and explain why we need to take steps toward fixing the major flaws in our current system.” If you or someone you love suffers from arthritis or another rheumatic disease, contact your lawmakers and express your opinions on health care legislation. You can reach your lawmakers by visiting www.capwiz.com/acr or by calling the American Medical Association’s toll-free grassroots hotline at (800) 833-6354.
The ACR is an organization of and for physicians, health professionals, and scientists that advances rheumatology through programs of education, research, advocacy and practice support that foster excellence in the care of people with or at risk for arthritis and rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. To learn more about the ACR and its advocacy efforts, visit www.rheumatology.org.
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