Every July, the Chronic Disease Coalition pauses to recognize the lawmakers who have gone above and beyond for patients living with chronic and rare disease. We are proud to introduce the 2026 class of Legislative and Congressional Champions.
As we build on the progress achieved in previous years, it is important that we recognize the efforts of legislators across the country who tackled health care reform this year. These elected officials have worked beyond party lines to sponsor or co-sponsor bills that directly benefit patients and their families.
"These champions remind us what's possible when lawmakers put patients first," said Mary Kay Clunies-Ross, Executive Director of the Chronic Disease Coalition. "They have all taken the time to listen to patients and work to make things better. That kind of accessibility and leadership is essential to the health of our families and communities."
Legislative and Congressional Champions are nominated by the people who know their work best. Many are our patient ambassadors, who are meeting with their representatives directly. Others are our legislative and Coalition partners who are on the ground in every state. Champions’ contributions are unique, but they have universally demonstrated a meaningful commitment to the chronic disease community, whether by sponsoring key legislation, engaging directly with patients, or bringing lived experience with chronic or kidney disease to their public service.
2026 Congressional Champions
- Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell (D-7)
- California Rep. Adam Gray (D-13)
- Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-16)
- Maine Sen. Susan Collins (R)
- New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker (D)
- New York Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-9)
- North Carolina Rep. Greg Murphy (R-3)
- Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly (R-16)
- South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (R)
- Washington Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-1)
- Washington Rep. Emily Randall (D-6)
- West Virginia Rep. Carol Miller (R-1)
2026 Legislative Champions
- California Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, MD D-39
- California Assembly member Rick Chavez Zbur, D-51
- Colorado Representative Sheila Lieder, D-28
- Florida Representative Adam Anderson, R-57
- Georgia Representative Kim Schofield, D-63
- Illinois Senator Christopher Belt, D-57
- Illinois Senator Javier Cervantes, D-1
- Illinois Representative Bob Rita, D-28
- Indiana Senator Brian Buchanan, R-7
- Iowa Representative Jason Gearhart, R-64
- Louisiana Representative Annie Spell, R-45
- Maine Representative Kelly Noonan Murphy, D-125
- Maryland Delegate Edith Patterson, D-28
- Maryland Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk, D-21
- Maryland Delegate W. Gregory Wims, D-39
- Massachusetts Senator Adam Gomez, D- Springfield
- Massachusetts Representative Thomas Stanley, D-9th Middlesex
- Missouri Representative Kem Smith, D-68
- New Mexico Representative Catherine Cullen, R-57
- New York Senator Roxanne Persaud, D-19
- New York Assembly member Pamela Hunter, D-128
- North Carolina Representative Donna McDowell White, R-26
- Ohio Senator Susan Manchester, R-12
- Tennessee Senator Shane Reeves, R-14
- Utah Senator Emily Buss, Forward Party-11
- Utah Representative Kristen Chevrier, R-54
"Patients don't experience healthcare policy in theory; they experience it directly, every time they try to fill a prescription, see a specialist, or fight with their insurer, and those experiences are consistently challenging," Clunies-Ross said. "The efforts of these champions to enhance health care access, improve insurance policies, emphasize mental health resources, and uplift patient voices are making a difference, and we want them and their constituents to know it matters."
Champions Also Need Us
Members of Congress and legislators have told us consistently that to do their best work, they need to hear from constituents. The work of bipartisan lawmaking is hard, but it’s easier when elected officials can be grounded in the lived experience of people in their state or district.
That’s why the Chronic Disease Coalition works to make it easy for people to be heard by their communities. Here are a few actions you can take:
- When you see their “Champion” social media post, share it! Help raise awareness of the
issues and the profile of the people on our side. - Sign our Chronic Disease Month petition and send a message that chronic disease patients deserve affordable care, fair access, and a seat at the table when healthcare decisions are made.
- Send a letter directly to your elected officials—whether they are a champion this year or not, you can be a voice for people managing chronic disease. Your letter will *ONLY* go to your elected officials, because we know that they put a premium on constituents’ views.
- Check out our voter guide to evaluate your own candidates so you can make an informed decision in the ballot box.
Looking to do more? We have a full library of advocacy actions that are available to anyone. You can also join the Coalition as an ambassador — learn more here!