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Here's my compilation of 13 ideas -- a thread of threads -- of convenient easy ways to speak up & share your voice about US health policy. Geared to rheumatologists but applicable to patients/families & other specialties. You can do a little every day! #Act4Arthritis #ThingADay 
Intro Tweet:
1. Send an email to Congress w/ a few clicks:
2. Learn about biosimilars (they're iike generic biologics). My personal view: #biosimilars are the most medically acceptable and politically feasible way to lower rheumatology drug prices in the US:
3. Tweet your member of Congress or state/local legislator!
Speaking of which, THANKS DC Councilmembers @marycheh and @AnitaBondsDC for sponsoring the bill to cap my patients' copayments for specialty drugs in Washington, DC -- which is now law!
Speaking of which, THANKS DC Councilmembers @marycheh and @AnitaBondsDC for sponsoring the bill to cap my patients' copayments for specialty drugs in Washington, DC -- which is now law!
4. Invest in your political action committee (for US rheumatologists and rheum professionals only). A bipartisan PAC for rheumatology:
5. Doctors: join your local rheumatology society. Patients: join a group geared to advocacy & education!
6. Bookmark the American College of Rheumatology's website for policy positions about patients' access to care and treatment, safe & effective biosimilars, maintaining the US physician workforce, research, affordable continuous insurance & other issues:
7. Make a donation to the top private funder of US arthritis & rheumatology research (and a huge support for training our future rheumatologists): the @RheumResearch foundation. It funded half of my rheum training at Georgetown:
8. [Specific ask to Congress]: Tell the House to earmark money already in the budget to create a Pentagon arthritis research program that will improve military readiness and prevent arthritis:
9. US Rheumatologists and professionals: read ACR@Work advocacy and practice tips every other week, in your inbox. Dedicated website links coming soon!
9.1 Bonus #ThingADay from Valentine's day (& shameless plug): read my love letter to #biosimilars for the 2019 #HealthPolicyValentines friendly competition. This tweet went toe-to-toe with tweets from smart people like @ASlavitt, and lost:
11. Comment on a federal regulation. Easier than you think w/ this step by step guide to thoughtful, transparent, effective advocacy at its best:
12. Recruit a friend! Our founders gave everyone in the United States a #1A right to petition their government for a redress of their grievances. Power in numbers:
13. Invite your elected officials to visit your clinic:
What did I miss? Please reply with your idea to help people raise their voice to improve US health policy.
