Grassroots

The Arthritis Foundation promotes government and private sector action to improve the lives of the 46 million Americans living with arthritis. But we need your help to get more government funding for arthritis research, to encourage early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment, and to improve access to quality health care for everyone with arthritis.

In 2006, our advocates have pushed federal legislation for arthritis prevention, control and cure further than it has ever gone! To read more about the current federal legislation, read the current Arthritis Agenda  or visit our advocacy center online .

Assembled here are tools you need to become informed about the issues and to make your voice heard. You will find issue "backgrounders," Arthritis Foundation position statements, as well as links to other Web sites that may be helpful.

Best of all, you can use our links to find your representatives in Congress and to share the most powerful message - your personal story - immediately via email. It just takes a few moments to join the fight!

Become An Advocate -- Join the Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Network

TELL YOUR STORY...increase public awareness about arthritis and related diseases....If you're interested in sharing your story with the media and educating the public about arthritis, please contact Johanna Lindsay at (206) 547-2707 or 1-800-746-1821 or email at jlindsay@arthritis.org to find out how you can help spread the word.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD--EACH INDIVIDUAL CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE...Together we can make arthritis a state and national priority.

For more information on arthritis issues link on to Advocacy Alert or contact us by phone at 206-547-2707 or 1-800-746-1821.

Federal Updates

To learn more about Arthritis Advocacy Issues and the National Arthritis Action Plan (NAAP) link on to the Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Homepage

Tell Your Senators to Take Action!

The Arthritis Foundation is working hard to ensure that adequate patient protections are included in any patient's bill of rights. These include access to specialists, such as rheumatologists, access to clinical trials, and the right to both fair and timely internal and external appeals. All consumers must have health care choice and access. Let your Representative know how important and necessary these and other patient protections are and that they must be part of any patients' bill of rights considered by Congress.

To learn more about the Federal Legislative Process link on to THOMAS Legislative Information.

LOBBYING FOR ARTHRITIS ISSUES

TIPS for Meeting with Your Legislators...

• Call to schedule a meeting--Legislators have very busy schedules during the legislative session. It is important to schedule a meeting prior to traveling to the Capitol.
• Identify yourself and your affiliation with the Arthritis Foundation WA/AK Chapter--If you are a constituent, let him/her know. Demonstrate your voting power, your base of support and your relation to the legislator.
• State your purpose--When you begin your meeting with a legislator, clearly state the purpose of your visit and why you are concerned with the issues at hand
• Build your case--Your own experience with an issue is the best support for your position. Explain briefly how the legislation (or the situation requiring legislation) affects you or your family.
• Be Constructive--Concentrate on explaining how the legislation you support is a positive solution to a problem. Instead of criticizing your opponents and their legislation, help your legislator understand and become aware of the merits of your position.
• Know the legislators position--Investigate the legislator's voting record, know the bills that she/he has introduced recently and his/her perspective on your issue.
• Get feedback--Ask your legislator to explain their positions on the issues you raise during your visits. As a constituent, you are entitled to know where they stand and why; this information may help the Arthritis Foundation on a key vote in the future.
• Follow up--Let the legislator know you appreciate meeting with them. If a legislator indicates support for your position, thank him or her for their commitment. If they disagree, thank them for their time.

If Arthritis is Important to You... Become an Advocate!

Arthritis, as well as being a medical issue, is a political and economic issue. Policy-makers make decisions that impact the lives of the 70 million Americans who have arthritis or a related disease. To positively impact those decisions, the Arthritis Foundation WA/AK Chapter has identified advocacy as one of its top priorities. We need people who are willing to provide a strong voice to remind lawmakers about the need to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases.

The Arthritis Foundation WA/AK Chapter maintains a grassroots network to impact state and federal issues of importance to people with arthritis. You can become a member of this network...

Become and Arthritis Advocate now!

Tell Your Senators to Take Action!

The Arthritis Foundation is working hard to ensure that adequate patient protections are included in any patient's bill of rights. These include access to specialists, such as rheumatologists, access to clinical trials, and the right to both fair and timely internal and external appeals. All consumers must have health care choice and access. Let your Representative know how important and necessary these and other patient protections are and that they must be part of any patients' bill of rights considered by Congress.