GI patients deserve better access to care. That’s what AGA leaders and patient advocates told lawmakers during AGA’s annual Advocacy Day.
In total, 127 clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates from 26 states and territories represented GI priorities in 107 meetings, including seven meetings with members of Congress.
Our advocates represented 55 House districts and 52 Senate districts and met with lawmakers and staffers on both sides of the aisle.
Together, we urged policymakers to:
Reform utilization management programs like prior authorization and step therapy.
Increase research funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Reform Medicare reimbursement and enact long-term payment reform.
We were honored to be joined by patient advocates who shared firsthand experiences living with chronic digestive illness. Their stories highlighted how healthcare policy and NIH research can directly impact patient outcomes.
One patient shared how she suffered vision loss after giving birth, and how it was restored thanks to being able to go to NIH, where she received testing and treatment recommendations.
The partnership between clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates fostered meaningful conversations with individuals who dictate healthcare policy and helped strength AGA’s visibility and influence on Capitol Hill.
During the participants’ dinner that evening, AGA leaders reflected on the value of Advocacy Day and the importance of bringing together voices across the GI community to advocate for their patients and the profession.
Advocacy Day generated meaningful momentum for GI priorities. We look forward to building on the conversations started in Washington and working with lawmakers to advance policies that improve and protect GI patient care.
Thank you again to our AGA leaders and patient advocates for showing how AGA leads the way through GI advocacy! Because of you, GI priorities were front and center on Capitol Hill.
View a photo gallery and social posts of the event at AGA’s gastro.org.