On Thursday, Sept. 17, 90 healthcare professionals representing 27 states visited Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of PH patients and request support for the Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Diagnosis Act, as part of the 2015 PHPN Symposium. First, the group had the opportunity to meet the sponsors of the bill, Rep. Kevin Brady [R-TX] and Rep. Lois Capps [D-CA].
PH Professional Network members met in small groups with Members of Congress to share stories about PH patients’ experiences and to ask for co-sponsorship of our bill. The PH bill calls for the creation of a committee within the federal government focused on giving people living with PH longer, better lives.
One attendee put it simply. “For me, the best part of the event was learning more and advocating on behalf of patients.”
By the end of the day, nearly 100 congressional offices knew more about pulmonary hypertension. And, in the days following the visits, four representatives, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler [R-WA], Rep. Mike Coffman [R-CO], Rep. Tim Ryan [D-OH] and Rep. Chris Stewart [R-UT] signed on as cosponsors.
All members of the PH community -- doctors, healthcare professionals, patients, family and friends -- can help advance the PH bill. Get started on PHA’s Advocacy Action Center or contact Angelia DiGuiseppe, PHA’s Grassroots Campaigns Associate, at 301-565-3004 x753 or AngeliaD@PHAssociation.org.
