Day two of theAdvocacy Summitstarted with lots of chatter about the Trump administration’s unveiling of repeal and replace health care legislation.
Several aspects of the bill align with ourPatient Principles for Health Carewhich outlines four principles that, if adopted, will result in a transparent health care system that allows easier access to more affordable care. The bill includes language that prevents denying coverage for people with preexisting conditions, bans lifetime coverage caps and allows young people to remain on their parent’s insurance plans until they turn 26-years-old – all good news for the arthritis community!
与会人员在评估和权衡法案的利弊的同时，自信地准备着当天晚些时候与国会议员的会谈。由于我们稳固的声誉和强大的拥护者，我们计划与128名共和党人和117名民主党人举行247次会议。几乎100%的会议请求都得到了保证!
Ruby Rollings is 18-years-old and was diagnosed withjuvenile idiopathic arthritiswhen she was 14-years-old. She traveled alone from Albertville, Alabama, to advocate for herself and her family. She is anAmbassadorin our advocacy program and talked with her legislators about the high cost of medications andneed for more pediatric rheumatologists.
Amy Barron is from Cincinnatti, Ohio and met with Representative Steve Chabot (R-OH) who invited Amy to sit at his desk for a picture. Amy is one of 41 Advocates who earned 2016 Platinum Ambassador status and was recognized at last night’s awards program.
随着一天的结束，峰会的与会者开始了他们的长途跋涉回家，他们对自己在华盛顿特区的经历感到高兴，并被授权继续代表关节炎社区进行宣传，因为特朗普政府废除和取代医疗保健立法的评估。
“The Foundation gives us hope and family, and equips us for life,” remarked Staci Penner, recipient of the 2016 Edward M. Kennedy Advocacy Award. “Now is an important time to raise our voices for all people with arthritis.”
Arthritis Foundation Advocates are volunteers who have been personally affected by arthritis and want to make a real and meaningful difference for the arthritis community. Using their personal arthritis stories, they meet with state and federal policymakers, helping them better understand the devastating effects of arthritis, and how they can improve access and the cost of health care. As repeal and replace health care legislation begins to evolve, it’s now more important than ever to stand up, tell your story and be heard.Join the Advocate program today!