FEATURE
Become an Advocate in Support of Hematology
ASH is the leader, both on Capitol Hill and within
federal agencies concerned with the study and
treatment of blood-related diseases, in representing
the interests of scientists and clinicians working in
the field of hematology. Through the ASH Grassroots
Network, the ASH Advocacy Leadership Institute,
and the ASH Congressional Fellowship Program, the
Society urges members to bring issues important to
the future of hematology to the attention of the U.S.
Congress and federal agencies.
The ASH Advocacy Leadership Institute was
created in 2011 to provide additional opportunities for
ASH members to learn more about advocacy, health
policy, and the legislative process, and to become
more engaged in the Society’s activities. This two-day
leadership workshop is an opportunity for members
to gain a better understanding of the Society and its
activities and to learn about legislation and health
policy affecting hematology research and practice. The
been credited with 63 percent of the cover-
age increases. 2 President Trump and the
Republican party prefer block-grant funding
of Medicaid, which would give each state
a finite sum of money and allow it to fund
Medicaid as it determines appropriate.
“This is worrisome too,” said Ms. Leous.
“Patients in states that fund Medicaid with
comprehensive health benefits will be fine,
but patients in other states that tend to cut
Medicaid funding or limit the benefits pack-
age could be negatively affected. If you have
a patient on Medicaid but it’s not funded ad-
equately, where does that leave the patient?”
And finally, it should be no surprise
that the U.S. Food and Drug Administra-
tion and the pharmaceutical industry have
not escaped the attention of a populist
president. The slow pace of drug approvals
and higher drug prices in the U.S. com-
pared to in other countries have received
plenty of coverage in the press, and are
undoubtedly on the mind of health-care
professionals and their patients.
A Waiting Game
What will this piecemeal repeal and replace
approach do to the American health-care
system? No one quite knows, but Former
President Obama expressed his trepida-
tions in an editorial in the New England
Journal of Medicine, arguing that repealing
his signature legislation before deciding
on a replacement could endanger many
Americans. 3 “What the past eight years have
taught us is that health-care reform requires
an evidence-based, careful approach, driven
by what is best for the American people,”
he wrote. “That is why Republicans’ plan
to repeal the ACA with no plan to replace
and improve it is so reckless. … Policymak-
ers should develop a plan to build on what
works before they unravel what is in place.”
“Congress can take a responsible,
bipartisan approach to improving the
health-care system. This was how we over-
hauled Medicare’s flawed physician pay-
ASHClinicalNews.org
first day of the Institute focuses on learning about
the legislative process and health policy; it includes
training in the policy-making process, advocacy, and
media relations. Sessions feature guest speakers
from Congress, the Administration, and the National
Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as other health
agency officials. On the second day, participants visit
their respective congressional delegation on Capitol
Hill to apply what was learned on the first day. Visit
the ASH website (hematology.org/Advocacy/ALI) for
dates and information on the nomination process for
the next Advocacy Leadership Institute.
The ASH Congressional Fellowship program
provides education about the policy-making process,
including Congress’ relationship to the hematology
community. Additionally, the fellowship is an
opportunity to educate Congressional members
and staff about hematology. The fellowship allows
a hematologist to work in a congressional office
ment system less than two years ago,” he
continued. “I will applaud legislation that
improves Americans’ care, but Republi-
cans should identify improvements and
explain their plan from the start – they
owe the American people nothing less. …
Policymakers should therefore abide by
the physician’s oath: ‘first, do no harm.’”
Day 1: 18 Million Uninsured?
As a candidate, Trump put forth his
“Contract With t