I used to avoid discussing “politics” here, thinking, “this page is about arthritis education, not politics!”
However, after two decades of living with rheumatoid arthritis and engaging in legislative advocacy with organizations like the American College of Rheumatology, Arthritis Foundation, and CreakyJoints, I’ve realized that arthritis care is deeply tied to politics and regulations.
Think about starting your first rheumatoid arthritis medication. It begins with a conversation with your doctor, who—after years of training—makes a professional decision about the best medication for you. That choice is based on their expertise and ethical commitment to your wellbeing.
Yet what happens next is heavily impacted by policies and regulations: a huge, complex bureaucratic system stands between your doctor’s recommendation and your actual access to treatment.
Ever dealt with a prior authorization denial, or “fail-first” policies, where insurance requires you to try cheaper drugs (and “fail” them) before accessing more expensive ones? If so, your healthcare has been impacted by “politics.”
Elected officials have the power to pass laws that can improve—or restrict—our access to vital, joint-saving medications.
Thankfully, I don’t have to be an expert in legislative advocacy to make a difference. Patient advocacy groups like the Arthritis Foundation, CreakyJoints, the American College of Rheumatology, and others do vital work, organizing opportunities for patients to be heard in the legislative process.
With this election, it’s a no-brainer for me to support candidates like Kamala Harris who back healthcare policies that protect us. I don’t want my community to lose insurance due to pre-existing conditions if the Affordable Care Act is repealed.
Check out the pictures above for more on why voting and advocacy matter to me. Please don’t forget to vote this week, and if you’d like to get involved in further advocacy, check out these resources:
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