The 2019 Annual Conference last month provided creative advocacy training sessions for chapter leaders and membership. The training sought to improve advocates’ understanding of their role in the advocacy process and shed light on how important their voice and actions can be in shaping patient outcomes. Attendees participated in interactive breakouts that allowed for collaborative thinking in small working groups. We are confident that by thinking, planning, and working together, anything can be achieved through advocacy.
In addition, our website holds a host of advocacy resources and training materials to aid local chapters in learning more about advocacy undertakings. It is our hope that you will continue to become more and more engaged as you learn more about AWIR and our policy priorities. Please visit our website and take a moment to review our Advocacy Toolkit.
AWIR believes that advocating on the federal and state level is an essential part of protecting patient access to care. To that end, we are excited to share this advocacy newsletter with you. While much has been accomplished, there is still much to undertake. We welcome you to be part of this energized organization and to get more involved with our upcoming advocacy opportunities.
International Gender Disparity Survey Needs Respondents
AWIR is conducting an International Survey to identify variables which affect professionals in their current or past work in the rheumatology space. The information collected with guide AWIR in setting and achieving goals for the organization with respect to advocacy. AWIR has been passing out the QR code for the Survey to encourage attendees at all rheumatology conferences to take the survey. If you are a current or retired rheumatology professional, AWIR asks that you take time to complete the Survey and share your insight.
The Safe Step Act and the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act are policy initiatives designed to reduce the negative impact of utilization management protocols on patients and practices. The Prescription Drug for the People Act and Lower Health Care Costs Act are reforms which would allow patients to gain better access to affordable medications that they need, and reform current PBM anti-competitive practices.
AWIR has taken the lead in the rheumatology space on advocating for narrowing the wage gap and increasing gender equality in the workplace. As such, support for the Paycheck Fairness Act was of particular focus in the meetings. AWIR advocates pointed out that wage disparities still exist in every industry, and even amongst physicians. The results gathered from the 2019 Gender Disparity Survey were also discussed. Of the 152 female respondents in the survey, 83% self-reported that they have experienced gender inequality in the workplace; and 82% suggest that workforce inequalities could be improved by taking action against employers and by creating policies to close the pay gap. AWIR looks forward to following up with Congress members when the results from the new International Gender Disparity Survey are in.
Another Hill Day is currently being scheduled to take place in the winter. AWIR looks forward to continuing to build relationships in Washington, D.C.
Panel Discussion on Advocacy at AWIR 2019 Meeting
Advocacy Co-chairs Dr. Gwen Melton and Dr. Stephanie Ott, and panel moderator, Heather Kazmark, MA, Government Affairs Specialist for AWIR, conducted a panel discussion which offered an outstanding overview of the advocacy activities AWIR has been doing since last year’s update. Highlights from the update included a report on the success of AWIR’s very first Hill Day in July. Dr. Melton pointed out increased global outreach as one of the organization’s greatest achievements this year, and expressed her hope for the membership to grow even more in size and scope. Heather Kazmark reviewed the policy position letters and comments AWIR sent out to federal regulatory agencies. Dr. Ott stressed the importance of supporting RheumPAC, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)’s nonpartisan political action committee, the only PAC dedicated to the interests of the rheumatology profession. Dr. Melton urged everyone in the audience to Take Actionto support standardizing prior authorization through sending a pre-prepared message to their Congress members from an email sent out to membership just before the panel discussion began that morning. At the conclusion, the advocacy goals for next year were discussed and the audience had an opportunity to ask questions.
Transforming the Healthcare Delivery System through Minimizing Administrative Burden
In August, AWIR submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to a request for information on ways to reduce administrative burden. Specifically, AWIR spoke to the extent to which non-standardized prior authorization forms cause burden on practices and how much time is spent to keep in pace with the non-uniformity of the process. AWIR advocates for electronic standardization as a means to reduce administrative burden and holds the viewpoint that industry-wide harmonization would reduce practice costs and decrease physician burnout. Due to excessive administrative requirements that must be met, providers all too often become stressed to levels which lead to physician burnout. AWIR holds that physician burnout is resulting in a decreased physician workforce and urges federal regulators to take this phenomenon into consideration when proposing and promulgating rules.
Read AWIR’s full response to the Request for Information on Reducing Administrative Burden to Put Patients over Paperwork.
Increasing Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Transparency and Reporting
AWIR has serious concerns about PBMs and their involvement in the prescription drug supply chain. During the Hill Day in July, AWIR leaders advocated for more PBM transparency and oversight. The Prescription Drug for the People Act (H.R. 2376) was one measure AWIR designed an information leave behind on to bring greater awareness on the topic. H.R. 2376 would task the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with studying the prescription drug supply chain and PBM merger activities; find and uncover PBM’s pharmacy “steering” practices; and require the findings to be reported to judiciary committees in the House and Senate. In addition, AWIR is doing advocacy around mandating PBMs to be transparent about the revenue they receive from manufacturers and implementing requirements for PBMs to pass 100% of rebate savings on to health plans. AWIR is committed to fighting for patients to have access to affordable medications that they need.
AWIR also has an opportunity to advocate for PBM reforms through the organization’s membership in the Alliance for Transparent and Affordable Prescriptions (ATAP). As a coalition member, AWIR participates in monthly calls and keeps abreast of new developments on the federal level which affect patient care. AWIR has signed on many of ATAP’s coalition letters of support for PBM reform on the federal level.
About RheumPAC: the ACR and ARHP's Political Action Committee
RheumPAC is the ACR’s nonpartisan political action committee (PAC) that works to elect and support pro-rheumatology candidates. It is the only PAC dedicated to the interests of the rheumatology profession. RheumPAC was created in 2007 with the mission of educating, electing, and supporting federal lawmakers who understand and can positively address the issues that impact rheumatology care providers and their patients.
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