You likely have countless stories about navigating our healthcare system and the roadblocks you've encountered while managing SpA. 

These personal stories are powerful tools for overcoming barriers to quality healthcare for yourself and everyone with spondyloarthritis.

A face-to-face meeting is one of the most important interactions you can have with your legislator - and they want to hear from you!

Your patient story is essential for public representatives to understand what it's like living with SpA and how their decisions directly affect your quality of life.

Here are some Tips for Meeting with Your Legislator:

• Make an appointment

You don’t have to travel to Washington, DC to meet your legislator — each Member of Congress has one or more offices in their congressional district. 

You can easily find the contact information for your representatives on their website. 

(You can also find your representatives here on this SAA Advocacy page, where you see, "Contact Your Officials.")

• Identify the scheduler

In many states, a scheduler will take your call and help you arrange an appointment. Each office has a specific meeting request process, so it's important to inquire directly with each office about their preferred method for receiving meeting requests.

• Send an email or fax to your legislator’s scheduler requesting a meeting. 
  Include in your request:
  1. You are a constituent,
  2. What legislation or policy issue you would like to speak about with the legislator,
  3. The date and time you would like to meet,
  4. Offer to meet a staff person if the legislator is not available.
  5. Provide your contact information, so that the scheduler can reach you.
• Follow up with a phone call.
  Keep trying if you don't hear back from them in a week. The scheduler will be an important contact for this process.
• Confirm the day and time of the meeting a few days ahead of time. Schedules change quickly for various reasons. Be sure your meeting is occurring as planned.
• Attend your meeting, which could be with your legislator or their staffer/s. Practice your story ahead of time. Keep it short and tie it to a specific "ask" if possible. For example; "Please vote yes on AB-123 to help people living with spondylitis avoid delays in treatment. The delay and discontinuation of an effective treatment program for ankylosing spondylitis can lead to permanent and irreparable damage/disfigurement of the spine, hips, eyes, and other areas."
• Bring handouts of your "Ask" or about your condition to leave behind for reference and a picture of your loved one with spondylitis if they are not attending the meeting.
  Click here for other brochures about SpA.
• Follow up and thank your legislator and/or their staffers for the meeting. Send an email or a “Thank You” card and briefly reiterate how they can help you and your community.

Remember, it is your voice that matters to Congress! 

Sharing your thoughts and concerns makes all the difference.

Thank you for being part of spondylitis advocacy. 

Please email us (advocacy@spondylitis.org) after your meeting to share your experience!