IDSA & HIVMA Take DC by Storm

In the lead-up to IDWeek 2019, 77 IDSA and HIVMA member advocates took to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Oct. 1 to educate policymakers about issues impacting their patients and the ID/HIV field and to advocate for IDSA/HIVMA priorities.

During The Big IDea, members asked federal lawmakers to co-sponsor the DISARM Act (a bill that would improve antibiotic reimbursement, require stewardship programs, and strengthen data collection on antibiotic use and  resistance) in over 100 meetings in the Senate and the House of Representatives. Members also educated their lawmakers about the importance of boosting compensation for the ID/HIV workforce and advocated for funding increases for federal ID/HIV programs at the Department of Health and Human Services and the State Department, and for the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative.

This education and advocacy day generated results immediately – Representative Tom Suozzi (D-NY) signed onto the DISARM Act the same week.

Please visit the IDSA/HIVMA Take Action page for more advocacy information and opportunities. If you are interested in participating in our advocacy initiatives and staying up-to-date on our upcoming activities in 2020, contact us and sign up for the Member Advocacy Program.