Many Endocrine Society members are familiar with the value of the Society’s meeting and journals, but I want to stress the value of our advocacy, particularly during these difficult times.
The Endocrine Society has a robust advocacy program led by our Advocacy and Public Outreach Committee. The Society tackles some of the most difficult and pressing policy issues such as: funding for biomedical research; access to care; diabetes and obesity; and regulation of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). We advocate to U.S. policy makers and, in the case of EDCs, to European Union lawmakers as well.
The coronavirus pandemic has shuddered universities, businesses, restaurants, and recreation facilities across the world. In Washington, D.C., the halls of Congress are closed; in Brussels, the EU Commission and Parliament are not open to the public. Yet, our advocacy efforts for our member researchers and physicians continue virtually. The Endocrine Society was one of the last groups in the U.S. Capitol before it closed in March – we brought researchers around the country to Washington to advocate during a Researcher Hill Day – and we were one of the first groups to implement a virtual Hill Day in April to advocate for provisions to be included in COVID-19 Relief legislation.
During the Spring, the Endocrine Society successfully advocated for expanded coverage for telehealth, additional funding for the Special Diabetes Program, and increased physician payment for audio-only visits – issues that really make a difference for our member clinicians, diabetes researchers, and patients. We continue to be a leading voice during the public health emergency advocating for adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), additional funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the supply of diabetes test strips for patients.
Policy makers increasingly turn to the Society and our members as trusted advisors and we are able to influence legislation and regulations that affect our members’ professional lives. As the global community struggles with the effects of coronavirus, now is especially the time to raise our voices to share the value of science.
Not related to the COVID-19 crises, during in the last few months we have also advocated to provide access to affordable insulin, oppose anti-transgender legislation, support women’s health research, and provide coverage of obesity treatment. Despite the pandemic closures, we have submitted congressional testimony to increase funding for the National Institutes of Health; submitted comments on new U.S. legislation to quicken access to cures; joined as an amicus to the U.S. Supreme Court case California v Texas challenging the Affordable Care Act; participated in remote meetings with work groups of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD ) to assist in the development of international approaches to regulating EDCs; and commented on Europe’s Chemical Strategy for Sustainability and its Beating Cancer Plan.
Policy makers increasingly turn to the Society and our members as trusted advisors and we are able to influence legislation and regulations that affect our members’ professional lives. As the global community struggles with the effects of coronavirus, now is especially the time to raise our voices to share the value of science.
Stand up and be heard. It takes all of us to make a difference. Communicate to Educate. Participate to Advocate.
I urge you to join me in these efforts:
- Visit endocrine.org/advocacy for more information about our issues and activities.
- Contact [email protected] to find out how you can participate in upcoming virtual advocacy visits and activities.
- Go to endocrine.org/takeaction to join our current online advocacy campaigns.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at [email protected].
Gary D. Hammer, MD, PhD
President, Endocrine Society
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