Lupus Advocates from Across the Country Return to Capitol Hill, Urge Congress to Support Policies that Improve Access to Lupus Care

Key Facts

• Hundreds of lupus advocates joined as the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) gathered for the largest lupus advocacy event in the nation to learn from experts in the lupus field about the latest in lupus research, advocacy, and care, and to meet with their members of Congress to urge them to join the fight against lupus.
• Over the course of hundreds of constituent meetings, members of Congress listened as advocates told their stories and urged them to support policies that will improve access to high-quality health care, including: The Safe Step Act (S. 652), which would further restrict the use of dangerous step therapy protocols by insurance companies and allow people with lupus timely access to the medications prescribed by their doctor The HELP Copays Act (HR 830), legislation to ban so-called "co-pay accumulators" and require that the financial assistance many people rely on to afford their medications counts towards their health plan's cost-sharing requirements, like their deductible and out-of-pocket maximum * The BENEFIT Act (S. 526), which would elevate the patient voice in lupus drug development to help ensure that patient experience is considered when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews new treatments for lupus and other conditions It's critical that people with lupus have timely, affordable access to the medications prescribed by their health care teams to manage this debilitating disease.
• Grimes has demonstrated an incredible commitment to lupus advocacy, including serving as a Department of Defense consumer reviewer for its Lupus Research Program, a support group facilitator, filling various roles on LFA committees, and leading advocacy efforts each year in Washington at the National Lupus Advocacy Summit and in her home state of Arizona.
• "We are thrilled that lupus advocates united once again in Washington, DC for the National Lupus Advocacy Summit for a memorable and meaningful experience where they each made a difference in the fight against lupus while also learning about the latest in lupus research and important resources to manage living with lupus," shared Mary T. Crimmings, Interim CEO, Lupus Foundation of America.

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