Capitol Hill Day: frequently asked questions
What is Capitol Hill Day?
Capitol Hill Day is an opportunity to go to Washington, D.C., and educate lawmakers about issues and concerns of the psoriasis community. These visits help us build alliances in Congress, spread awareness about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and call for Congress to increase federal funding for psoriasis and support the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure and Care Act (PPARCCA). More than 100 advocates on average from across the country attend Capitol Hill Day.
Why should I attend?
Capitol Hill Day is an effective way to tell your elected officials about issues affecting the psoriasis community. Most congressional leaders know very little about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. That's why it is important that their constituents, namely you and your loved ones, educate them on the impact these diseases have on one's quality of life and ask them to support more federal funding for research.
What if I want to go to Capitol Hill Day but can't afford it?
We know that financial considerations may prevent individuals from attending. For that reason, we offer limited scholarships to qualified individuals. We encourage you to apply early because funding is limited.
I've never visited a congressional office before. What do I do?
No experience is necessary to participate in Capitol Hill Day. We provide training and materials and set up all your meetings with the congressional offices. You are expected to be an expert on only one thing: what it's like to live with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.
What happens at the training session?
The Sunday afternoon training session is required for all Capitol Hill Day participants. This session covers tips for conducting a Capitol Hill meeting, answers any questions you may have, and a reviews of our issues, priorities and actions that we are asking of Congress. It also includes time to "practice" your story before your meetings and get to know other Capitol Hill Day volunteers.
Do I need training if I have been to Capitol Hill Day before?
Yes. Every year how we ask Congress for support differs. It is important that you attend the training session so that you are familiar with our specific priorities and approach for that year. Even if you have experience visiting Capitol Hill, the training is a good "refresher" and provides new tips and information. Also, the training is where you get to know other the volunteers, including those joining you on your Hill meetings.
With whom will I be meeting in each congressional office?
Most likely you will meet with a "health legislative assistant," a congressional aide who recommends and crafts health care policy for his or her boss, who is the member of Congress. The actions these staffers recommend are usually adopted by the member of Congress for whom they work. Some meetings may be held with the legislative director or the chief of staff to the member of Congress, and a few volunteers may actually meet their senator(s) or representative. Since the congressional schedule is often changing, appointments with members of Congress themselves are difficult to confirm.
Will I be in meetings by myself or with other Capitol Hill Day volunteers?
We schedule meetings in groups with a focus on placing people together from the same state and/or community so you can visit as "delegations." For example, volunteers from a particular state visit their senator(s) together, and volunteers from a particular congressional district (and/or a nearby community) meet with their representative as a group. If you are the only person from a particular state or district, we do our best to team you up with at least one other volunteer so you have an "advocacy buddy" for your meetings.
What do we hope to accomplish during Capitol Hill Day?
By asking volunteers to tell their personal stories and talk about seriousness of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis members of Congress during Capitol Hill Day we will:
- Educate lawmakers first-hand on the challenges that people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis face;
- Engage members of Congress to help debunk psoriasis myths by making a statement in the Congressional Record and in placing articles in their constituent newsletters about the realities of psoriatic diseases;
- Increase federal research investment to help achieve better treatments and a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis;
- Gain additional co-sponsors for the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act.
I'm ready to help! What can I do between now and Capitol Hill Day to further the cause?