Ballots are in mailboxes and candidates are rallying across the country, signaling we’re nearing the end of election season. But there are still critical actions you can take today to have your voice represented in Congress.
1. Support H.R. 8261 to Protect Telehealth Access
Access to telehealth is a lifeline for many chronic disease patients, providing essential care without the burden of travel. As CDC Ambassador Dustin Miller shares, having telehealth options has played an important role in managing his chronic diseases:
“I have found telehealth to be very beneficial. Not only is it convenient, but when I am feeling too sick or in pain due to my illnesses, it makes receiving a diagnosis from a doctor a viable option.”
Help protect these vital services by urging Congress to pass H.R. 8261 and extend telehealth access through 2026 — email your representative today. Take action now.
2. Supporting the FIND Act: Helping Patients Get the Best Care
Many people with chronic diseases struggle to get a timely diagnosis, often delaying treatment and affecting their long-term health. The FIND Act aims to ensure Medicare covers crucial nuclear scans, giving patients access to better tests, earlier treatment, and more affordable care. Read our latest blog to learn more on how you can support today.
3. 2024 Election Toolkit
In case you missed it, there is still time to register to vote! Voting ensures your voice is heard on issues like affordable treatment and patient rights. Check out our toolkit for accessible voting options, candidate scorecards, and ways to share your story. Let’s make sure healthcare stays a top priority this election.
4. Dysautonomia Awareness Month
October is Dysautonomia Awareness Month. Dysautonomia is a nervous system disorder that disrupts autonomic automatic functions like your blood pressure and heart rate. As CDC Ambassador Gloria Marshak puts it:
“Dysautonomia is tricky, because one day I may feel fine and the next I am stuck in bed. It is important to have a well rounded circle of care that understands the disorder, including the parts we can’t see on the outside.”
To support those living with dysautonomia, Gloria graciously shared some valuable resources you might find helpful: The Dysautonomia Project, Dysautonomia International, and Dysautonomia Support Network offer a range of resources for patients, supporters, and providers including medical information, educational tools, lifestyle management tips, financial assistance, support groups, and more.
For physicians, Dysautonomia International also has educational tools, peer reviewed articles, and patient education materials.
5. Patient experiences should outweigh PBM talking points | OPINION
Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) were initially established to process prescription drug claims, however, due to massive growth in their scale and market consolidation, PBMs now touch every part of the drug supply chain: They determine drug coverage and cost-sharing for ~220 million people and negotiate and collect discounts and rebates from drug manufacturers under the guise of 'lowering drug costs.'
Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are making it tougher for people to access crucial medications. Join organizations like The Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado and Wyoming and other patients, families, and community leaders to encourage Congress to act on PBM reform. Together, we can ensure that everyone can afford the medicines they need. Read more here.
6. Voters with disabilities are feeling ignored by presidential candidates
A new report from Rutgers University reveals that 40.2 million eligible voters in the upcoming election are disabled, with many of them feeling that their interests are being overlooked by both parties.
As CDC Ambassador Tiffany Coles shares, "For the past few weeks, I’ve been saying that campaigns are missing the opportunity to connect with disabled voters. Disabled individuals need protection and advocacy from both candidates, and until they realize the impact we have, they’ll miss the mark on engaging this critical population."
Despite the fact that healthcare is more than 20% of the GDP and that about a third of all Americans have a disability or chronic disease, healthcare reform has not been a major topic of this year’s debates.
Also troubling: People managing disabilities and chronic illnesses report having inadequate access to the voting booth. According to our national poll, 18% of respondents say their chronic condition makes voting harder—that’s 25 million Americans.
Read the article here.