THE LOOK OF SUCCESS
SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF ADVOCACY EFFORTS BY PATIENT ORGANIZATIONS
Arthritis Foundation advocates successfully fought to maintain $557 million in research funding at the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.arthritis.org Leukemia Lymphoma Society advocates gained co-sponsors for HR 460 (Patients’ Access to Treatments Act) by speaking up about the importance of stopping unfair cost-sharing practices from keeping crucial medications out of reach for many cancer patients, and 72 members of Congress listened. They are now hearing from both sides of the aisle about Congressmen/women who are interested in supporting HR 460. www.lls.org American Heart Association advocates were able to expand Medicare coverage for cardiac rehabilitation service to include beneficiaries with chronic heart failure by collaborating with three other cardiovascular organizations when making their request to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. www.heart.org American Lung Association advocates for measures to improve air quality and discourage tobacco use. They educate legislators, engage through their e-advocacy network and provide people with a forum make an impact on smoke- free, healthy air initiatives and taxation of tobacco products. www.lung.org National Brain Tumor State Lead Advocates work hard to recruit and motivate other advocates. Each state lead serves as a mentor and leader within their community, meets with elected officials both on the state and federal level, and brings their shared voices to the fight. www.braintumor.org
Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter is one of 333 patient groups from around the country that signed onto a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Sylvia Mathews Burwell calling for immediate measures to reduce barriers to care for patients who have purchased policies through the Health Insurance Marketplace (the “Exchanges”). The letter came as some patients with chronic conditions have faced difficulty accessing crucial medications and other health services they need in some Qualified Health Plans. www.lupus.org American Cancer Society-Cancer Action Network (ACS-CAN) is a nonprofit nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society that focuses on aggressive grassroots efforts, lobbying and media campaigns, and educating the public and media to make cancer issues a national priority. Their efforts have led to 35 states being smoke-free and an increase in federal cancer research funding for the National Institutes of Health. www.acscan.org National Patient Advocate Foundation is the advocacy affiliate of the Patient Advocate Foundation. Their Federal Government Relations team lobbies Congress, the Administration, and other relevant parties to promote access to affordable, quality care for patients nationwide. Their State Government Relations staff works in all 50 states to expand access to care. www.npaf.org
87
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker