new ambassador orientation - arthritis.org · program • arthritis ambassadors are volunteers...
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New Ambassador Orientation Laura Keivel Manager, Grassroots Advocacy
Arthritis Foundation Advocacy • Advocacy and Access is part of the
National Office based in Washington, DC • New state advocacy initiatives and access
issues • Federal priorities and building a strong
Congressional Arthritis Caucus
Ambassador Program Contact
• Laura Keivel, Grassroots Advocacy Manager
• Advocacy Leadership Team Member
Please contact us anytime! 202-887-2913 or [email protected]
Regional Advocacy Workgroup Mid Atlantic Region - West Mark Guimond [email protected] 202/887-2912 DE, MD, DC
Mid Atlantic Region - East Claudia Stewart [email protected] 804/665-9952 or ext. 4652 SC, NC, VA, FL, TN, AR, LA, MS, AL
Southeast Region Ayana Charleston [email protected] 678/237-4454 GA
South Central Region Pam Gill [email protected] 214/818-0366 TX, OK, NM
Heartland Region Michele Guadalupe [email protected] 312/880-4736 cell 773/304-7290 KS, NE, IA, MO, IL, IN
New England Region Andrea Savisky [email protected] 860/563-1177 ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI
Pacific Region Krystin Herr [email protected] cell 916/502-2979 CA, NV, AZ, HI
Northeast Region Michele Greco [email protected] 917/734-6119 NY, NJ, PA
Great West Region Johanna Lindsay [email protected] 206/547-2707 X105 WA, OR, ID, MT, WY, UT, CO, AK, CA
Upper Midwest Lori Obluck [email protected] 414/321-3933 ND, SD, MN, WI
Great Lakes Region Pam Fields [email protected] 513/271-4545 X4053 MI, OH, PA, WV, KY
Mission of the Ambassador Program
• Arthritis Ambassadors are volunteers committed to taking part in the democratic process and serve as liaisons between the Arthritis Foundation and their Congressional District’s Representative and state representatives. Each Ambassador’s efforts are crucial to the success of the Arthritis Foundation. Each month, Ambassadors are asked to work with the Foundation’s Advocacy and Access staff on special assignments to advance the Foundation's advocacy efforts and to share their story with important decision makers.
What is the Ambassador Program? • Webinars every other month with an
update, speakers, and a monthly activity • Variety of tasks that build towards creating a
relationship with your legislators • Tasks can take less than 15 minutes • Strong community of advocates • Ambassadors are encouraged to attend the
annual Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC
Why Become an Ambassador? “The Ambassador program gives people an opportunity to channel passion into action and make a difference on the state and federal levels for everyone with arthritis.” – Margo Deihl, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Why Become an Ambassador? • “You can actually make a difference! It’s a
learning experience and brings you out of your box and expands your horizon. It’s not just about helping the Arthritis Foundation, but your family, too, and finding a cure for everyone with arthritis.” – Keith Moschitta, Atoka, Tennessee
Why is Advocacy Scary?
Why would they listen to me? Why should they care?
What could they possibly do for me? Advocacy is intimidating!
Advocacy is Not Scary!
• They have families too and some are affected by arthritis
• Legislators are people too – often state legislators are part time and have careers • Their job is to listen to you
Your Role in Advocacy is Important
• Your voice is important – only you can tell your story and you know how arthritis impacts your life
• If we don’t talk about arthritis with Congress and in the states, who will?
• Many other organizations are out ther – we need to be there
• YOU are the experts
Government 101
Who Remembers High School Government?
• 435 Representatives and 100 Senators • You have 1 Representative and 2 Senators • Bills are introduced in the House and Senate and
referred to committees • Bills must make it through hearings and committee
meetings • Bills passed by the House and Senate are sent to the President for signature or veto
Terminology When communicating with your
Members of Congress, be sure to use the correct titles
• Representatives are in the House of Representatives
• Senators are in the Senate • All are Members of Congress
Find your Representative • Go to
http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/ • In the “Enter your ZIP code” box add your 5
digit ZIP Code
What if you have more than one possible Representative?
• Enter your FULL address – no P.O. Boxes!
Finding Your Senators You have two Senators per state no matter where you live. Go to: www.senate.gov
Our Work
Arthritis Foundation Federal Issues H.R. 1600 – The Patient’s Access to Treatments Act (PATA) • Biologics are breakthrough treatments for people
with chronic conditions such as RA • Biologics are highly specialized and are expensive • A number of health insurers have adopted a
‘specialty tier’ pricing system for these drugs – the average monthly co-pay can be from $500 to $5,000
• PATA would limit patients’ cost-sharing requirements
What Can You Do?
• Ask your Representative to co-sponsor H.R. 1600
• Tell them how the high cost of medication affects people with arthritis
• Tell your story!
Research Program at the Department of Defense
Congressional Arthritis Caucus • Arthritis Caucus Hill Briefings:
• Back Pain and Ankylosing Spondylitis • Arthritis 101 • Access to Care • Pediatric rheumatologists
• A quarterly newsletter to inform members of Congress on major issues
• 136 members of the Congressional Arthritis Caucus!
What Can You Do? • Ask your members of Congress to join
the Caucus • All Caucus members joined because
an Advocate asked them to!
H.R. 1859 Ensuring Children’s Access to Specialty
Care Act • Would help with student loans for pediatric
rheumatologists • Funding comes from Public Health Service Act
State Issues All states are different but we work on: • Biosimilar substitution • Formulary transparency • Narrow provider networks • Out-of-pocket medication costs • Prior authorization • Step therapy
Not all issues are in all states! All legislatures have different
session lengths
2015 Accomplishments • Building the Advocate Army
– 125,000 Advocates – Over 1,000 Ambassadors
• Arthritis Caucus – 63 members in 2014 – Reached 136 members in 2015
• Hosted 4 Hill Briefings on pediatric rheumatologists, access to care, back pain/arthritis and Arthritis 101
Advocacy Summit March 14-15, 2016 in Arlington, Virginia
• Speakers, workshops, and presentations to empower advocates on state and federal issues to inspire them to advocate all year long
• Kids’ Summit where kids learn how to advocate for themselves
Tools to Help You
Advocacy Toolkit
http://www.arthritis.org/advocate/join-the-movement/advocate-toolkit/advocacy-toolkit.php
Monthly Advocate Webinar Series
January 27 3:00 PM Eastern
Ambassador Newsletter
Responsibilities of an Ambassador
Responsibilities of an Ambassador • Commit to being a liaison between the
Arthritis Foundation and your state and federal legislators
• Be actively engaged in the program by completing tasks, attending local Arthritis Foundation events, and recruiting more Arthritis Foundation Advocates
Being an Ambassador requires dedication and commitment!
How to be an Effective Ambassador • Communicate with your elected
officials – letter writing, social media, phone calls, attend town halls and tele-town halls, district office visits
• Continually update staff and tell your story!
• Tell us the work you are doing • Arthritis is misunderstood, so forming
relationships clarifies the issues
Telling Your Story • Use our Advocacy Toolkit as a guide • Be honest – how is your life being
affected by this particular policy? • When x happens, what is the result for
your family? • Be memorable • Be succinct
Ambassador Awards • The Ambassador year is October –
October • Platinum Ambassadors complete all
activities, raise $500 (give or get), and complete 4 bonus activities
• Honored at the annual Advocacy Summit
Any Questions?
Please hit #6 to unmute your line
Reporting Your Activities • The Reporting Center is important so
Arthritis Foundation staff know about interactions and where to follow up or target our advocacy efforts in Washington, DC and in the states
• Reporting is also important for Ambassador awards at the end of the year
www.arthritis.org/advocatereport Advocate ID: Email Address
Passcode: Last Name
Reporting Your Activities
Reporting Your Activities
Reporting Your Activities
• We recommend using Google Chrome or Firefox when reporting in
• Please be sure to hit ‘completed’ or the activity will still be ‘active’
• If you cannot find the activity, be sure to scroll over at the bottom – they may be on the last page
• Please contact Laura Keivel for any assistance
Reporting Your Activities
2016 Ambassador Briefing Schedule
Wednesday, March 2 Wednesday, April 6 Wednesday, May 4 Wednesday, July 20
Wednesday, September 7 Wednesday, November 2
Always at 3:00 PM Eastern
Questions? We are here to help! • Any questions • Any materials • We are here to be a resource for you!
[email protected] or 202-887-2913
#6 to unmute your line
Thank You!
YOU make a difference Thousands in Advocate Network
1,000 Ambassadors 1 Voice
“We advocate with the Arthritis Foundation
because it is the only way our family can help get us closer to a cure” – Heidi Barrett,
Washington State
Thank you for being a part of the Ambassador program!