It’s been a busy year for patient advocacy – with significant wins at the federal and state levels. Read on to get the scoop on the results of the midterm elections, our2018 year in review, and a look at what 2019 has in store.
In 2018, our advocacy community was essential tosecuring many victoriesfor people with arthritis. Whether you engaged in a state legislative day, testified before decision makers, or even sent a letter through our Action Center, your actions made a difference. Here are some highlights that we accomplished together this year:
- We reached a milestone when we surpassed 100 state legislative victories since 2014
- Advocates and Ambassadors power our mission, sending over 5000 letters to policymakers through our Action Center!
- Hundreds of legislative meetings were coordinated through our 10 State Legislative Days across the nation
你们的故事推动着我们的使命。2022足球世界杯比赛回看In our2019 priority survey, you told us that your top three priorities for this year are managing chronic pain, research for a cure, and access to insurance coverage and providers.
Let’s take a look at the mid-term election results and how your stories can raise awareness with our newly elected decision makers across the country.
Record turnout for the 2018 midterm election year brought about a number of changes in state legislatures, governors’ offices, and Congress that will impact patient advocacy.
In Congress, Democrats won a majority in the House of Representatives while Republicans grew their majority in the U.S. Senate. Nearly 100 new members of Congress will be seated in January. That’s 100 new voices in Congress that need to learn about issues important to people with arthritis (plus hundreds of new staff members).
Sixteen members of theArthritis Caucuslost their seat, retired, or were elected to the U.S. Senate. Rebuilding the Arthritis Caucus will be a front and center priority starting next year, and your stories will be essential to raising arthritis awareness on capitol hill and beyond.
看看我们的水晶球，我们大致可以预期国会在未来两年的活动将集中在药品定价改革、自付开支问题以及对联邦医疗保健计划的监督上。
在国会和全国各州的立法机构中，都将出现许多新面孔。在州一级，民主党人获得了7个新的州长席位(IL, KS, ME, MI, NM, NV和WI)和6个州(CO, CT, MN, NH, ME, NY)的7个州众议院席位。民主党现在控制了14个州的参众两院和州长办公室，净胜6个州。
These shifts will likely lead to increased interest in expanding Medicaid programs and strategies to stabilize state insurance markets. On election night, Medicaid expansion ballot initiatives passed in Idaho, Nebraska, and Utah.
Our Advocates and Ambassadors will help educate these new members on issues facing patients with arthritis – and we’ll help you along the way by providing you with resources and tools!
How You Can Help:
- Join us at live events like the2019 Live Yes! Advocacy SummitMarch 11-12 in Arlington, VA, and state legislative days (check with yourState Directorto see if there is an event in your state).
- Share your story and find action opportunities through ouradvocacy Action Center!
- Join patient advocates and health care providersin breaking down barriers to care.