ACR Regional Advisory Council Update
By Elizabeth Tindall, MD President-elect, ACR
In May 2004, the American College of Rheumatology Board of Directors (BOD) approved the formation of a new sub-committee under CORC called the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC). RAC encompasses substantial changes in the relationship between state and local societies and the ACR. This new sub-committee is a major step forward in improving advocacy, reimbursement, and communication between national and local groups of rheumatologists.
RAC will include 6 regional representatives selected by states within their region plus liaison members from CORC and the Governmental Affairs Committee. RAC is charged with gathering information from states, providing feedback to the ACR on pertinent issues, preparing appropriate materials, and helping to organize states within their regions.
The ACR will add two additional staff “reimbursement specialists” for practice support activities. The staff will train members on advocacy, support an annual meeting of state representatives, develop a monthly e-newsletter, and a web-based bulletin board for Q & A and discussions of issues and reports. The ACR has committed a substantial budget for this new activity.
The impetus for these changes can be attributed to two meetings between the ACR Executive Committee (Ralph DeHoratius, David Wofsy, Elizabeth Tindall, Peggy Crow, Neal Birnbaum, Mark Andrejeski), ACR Staff (Teresa Fitzgerald Ogden) and the state and local societies. The first meeting took place during the Annual meeting in Orlando and was a contentious airing of complaints by all sides. At the February ORA meeting, a large group of state societies met with the Executive Committee to discuss the private practice problems facing rheumatologists and strategies to address these needs. The ACR is committed to improving the practice environment for all its members and recognizes that many ‘battles’ are fought at the state and regional level.
A combined meeting of CORC, RAC and the Governance Affairs Committee is planned for February 2005 in Washington, DC. Lobbying efforts by rheumatologists and patients will be coordinated by the ACR along with speakers and advocacy education. Further information regarding state society representatives will be forthcoming.
On behalf of the ACR, I wish to thank the Oregon Rheumatology Alliance for their strong support and leadership. ORA serves as a valuable template for other state societies to emulate. Special thanks to Cody, Dan, Andre, Peter and Walt.
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