The USBJI has developed a Position Paper on the musculoskeletal (MSK) health issues federal candidates for election in 2020 should include as part of their health policy proposals and programs.
As newly elected officials begin their service and establish health policy, it is important that America’s most prevalent and disabling musculoskeletal disorders are front and center, and included in policy discussions in a meaningful way.
Musculoskeletal disorders are generally under-appreciated, under-resourced and under-funded. This is an opportunity for them to be included at the start of a re-elected or new administration.
Link to the USBJI Position Paper.
The Position Paper has been developed from input at three live Roundtables held last year during the AAOS, ASBMR and ACR annual meetings, and three virtual Roundtables to debate a draft this past July. Participation at these meetings represented the breadth of our MSK community – by patients, medical specialty, and areas of interest such as disparities in health care, diversity, women’s health, etc..
This work will now continue with a focus on post-election needs. The purpose of our Position Paper is to present a high level position, suitable for an election campaign. It is designed to focus on the big picture relating to musculoskeletal health, to raise awareness of bone and joint disorders. Identification and work towards specific asks is part of Stage Two, after the election and when the new Administration and Congress start work. Work will begin shortly on the specific asks brought up during the roundtables and undoubtedly more, to identify the data and resources necessary that will be required to support specific issues and asks. These will become a new section of the Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the United States (BMUS) publication and resource, devoted to the data and resources needed to support specific advocacy issues.
Contact candidates for election - Tell them about musculoskeletal health
The USBJI urges you to contact candidates, especially your State and District candidates for the Senate and the House, and present them with the Position Paper. The first step to success is achieved if they subsequently mention musculoskeletal health, bone and joint disorders, arthritis, back pain, osteoporosis, injuries, etc. The next level of success is if they focus on one or more of the issues we raise. If you have the opportunity to attend an event, such as a virtual or live Town Hall meeting, please raise musculoskeletal health, speak about issues in the Position Paper, and either present a copy of it to the candidate(s), or offer to send them a copy. Please let us know about your activity, and especially mention if you succeed if getting the candidate to mention musculoskeletal health or recognize any of the issues we raise. Thank you!
Social Media
Read about Musculoskeletal Health Priorities and Proposed Solutions being presented to 2020 Federal Election Candidates. Download and send the USBJI Position Paper to your candidates for the US Senate and House of Representatives. https://bit.ly/2RuoylT #MSK2020
Consider beginning your posting with "Tell Them About Arthritis!" or "Tell Them About Back Pain!" or "Tell Them About Osteoporosis!".