Skip to main content
ACR Convergence 2025 Main banner
Final Program


Schedule at a Glance
Legend
Program: Scientific Session
General Topic: Pediatric

Championing Change for Children and Young Adults with Rheumatic Diseases: Legislative and Policy Update

Sunday, October 26, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Central Time

    Moderator(s)

  • Bryce Binstadt, MD, PhD

    University of Minnesota
    Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

    Disclosure(s): AbbVie/Abbott: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing); Amgen: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing); AstraZeneca: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing); terremoto: Consultant (Ongoing)

  • EO

    Ekemini Ogbu, MD, MSc

    Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
    Cincinnati, OH, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

    • Session Coordinator(s)

  • SS

    Susan Shenoi, MBBS, MS, RhMSUS

    Seattle Children's Hospital and Research Center
    Mercer Island, WA, United States

    Disclosure(s): AbbVie/Abbott: Consultant (Terminated); cabaletta: Consultant (Ongoing); sobi: Consultant (Ongoing)

  • EO

    Ekemini Ogbu, MD, MSc

    Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
    Cincinnati, OH, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ARP) advocate on behalf of the pediatric rheumatology community, patients, and families to shape public policy aimed at improving care and the conditions of practice. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of advocacy efforts focused on pediatric patients with chronic diseases. Attendees will receive updates on specific advocacy activities within the U.S. Congress, federal regulatory agencies, and both private and public payers. The session will also address current public policies, including recent cuts to Medicaid reimbursements, and their potential impact on clinical practice. Additionally, the session will examine how public policy affects the health and well-being of pediatric patients and their families, from the lens of the patient and family perspective.

Learning Objectives:

  • Examine the key advocacy efforts to improve care and practice conditions for pediatric rheumatic diseases
  • Discuss current public policies, including Medicaid reimbursement cuts, and their potential impact on pediatric rheumatology practices
  • Identify strategies for engaging with U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and payers to advocate for enhanced support for pediatric rheumatology care

Presentations:

  • 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM Central Time
    The Impact of Policy on Healthcare: Lessons from a Parent

    Speaker: Shiloh Kantz, -None- – Oklahoma Policy Institute

  • 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM Central Time
    Advocating for Children and Young Adults with Chronic Diseases

    Speaker: Madelaine Feldman, MD – THE RHEUMATOLOGY GROUP