Arthritis Community Advocacy in Action

Erin Payer | Oct. 21, 2025

“The legacy of the Arthritis Foundation advocacy program is one of persistence, prioritization of scientific research and policy partnerships. Our strategy requires that we ask for what we need and we allow our elected officials to come to the party.” —Kevin Brennan, Senior Vice President for Public Policy (1999-2006) and current National Advocacy Committee Co-Chair, Arthritis Foundation. 

This framing set the tone for the 2025 Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Summit. Acknowledging the uncertainty that continues to define the times we are living in shifted general sessions into opportunities for sensemaking, collaboration and deeper connection. 

Over three high-impact days, familiar faces and newcomers alike spoke honestly about the complexities and the endurance needed to fix the health care system that arthritis patients must navigate. Grounded by discussions of the Arthritis Foundation Advocacy history, the Advocacy Summit also served as a reminder of the importance of being a face of scientific progress and why continued investment is imperative, as the health care needs of so many continue to go unmet.

Empowered with the tools and, more importantly, personal stories to effectively communicate shared interests of the arthritis community, Hill Day culminated with more than 30 states (including Alaska!) represented by 100 patient advocates who successfully conducted 140 meetings with legislative members and staff. While each advocate brought their own story, all voices were united in the ask for congressional action to improve access and affordability for arthritis prescription therapies.

To build support for the legislative priorities of the Arthritis Foundation, advocates educated lawmakers on why prioritizing the passing of the Safe Step Act and Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform will provide meaningful change to people living with chronic conditions. As a result of Hill Day, we are already seeing co-sponsors getting added to these bills!

The momentum to bring about system change will not stop at the Advocacy Summit. Relationships with policymakers continue to be forged as advocates discuss the need to hold drug price negotiators accountable for delivering promised savings through the transparency of drug costs, as well as the shared benefit of removing delays to accessing doctor-prescribed treatments by changing “fail first” insurance rules.

Advocacy doesn’t start on Capitol Hill; it starts with the understanding that individual experiences matter. The Arthritis Foundation continues to grow a community of people who turn challenges into change, one conversation at a time. If you have ever wondered how to make a difference, now is the time to learn more, get involved and help move the mission forward.