Grassroots

Why Should You Care About Politics?

When you have to deal with arthritis every day of your life, you want leaders who understand and are looking out for your best interests. Your health depends in part on elected officials who are concerned about skyrocketing health care costs and the quality of health care services. You can become involved with public policy and advocacy issues such as Medicare reform, the high cost of prescription drugs, and diversity and youth issues.

If you want your voice to be heard, this means electing leaders who will propose ways to expand health care to more Upstate New York citizens and concentrate on controlling health care costs. It also means you need to tell your elected officials how you feel when you get concerned about what is or is not happening in your community. Remember. Politics affects everyone--every day!

Advocacy Update

We are working closely with the other New York State Arthritis Foundation Chapters to obtain funding from New York State for arthritis programs.

This group has been meeting with staff from Governor Pataki's Office, the Division of Budget, the NYS Senate and the NYS Assembly. As a result of these advocacy efforts, an item has been proposed in the Senate budget. We are waiting to hear about the Assembly budget. We have received support from a number of legislators. Locally, Assemblyman Joseph Robach has voiced his support for this budget item. Senator Richard Dollinger has also given his support.

If this money is approved, it will enable us to dramatically increase the number of programs we now offer. The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, The Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program and the Taking Control of Arthritis Course offerings will be extended to our most rural areas, and we will be able to increase the number of programs currently offered.

We need your help!

Please write, fax or e-mail your local State Senators and State Assembly Members to ask them to support the Capacity Building Proposal to increase arthritis programming in New York State. Although it has reached the budget planning stage, we need to make sure that the proposal stays alive during the very competitive budget process.

To find your elected officials click here!

How You Can Help

Capital Building The Arthritis Foundation promotes government and private sector action to improve the lives of the 70 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.

Your representatives NEED TO hear from you - their constituents - in support of arthritis priorities. The phone calls, letters, and personal visits with your legislators can help secure the research, treatment, and prevention programs needed.

Visit our Advocacy Section for 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.

Become An Advocate -- Join the Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Network

Arthritis Advocacy Priorities -- Read about the issues

Contact Congress -- Quickly locate your legislators and send a message