Lupus Foundation of America President Presents at Women in Government Summit

(L-R) Libby Derting, Director of Policy and Programs, Women In Government; Sandra C. Raymond, President & CEO, Lupus Foundation of America; and Terri Austin, State Representative, Indiana State Legislature.

Sandra C. Raymond, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) provided an overview on the impact of lupus on women’s health to state legislators during the Women in Government’s (WIG) first-ever Healthcare Summit in Washington, DC November 18, 2010. Ms. Raymond also presented an overview of resources and programs for people with lupus and their families offered by the LFA, and thanked the legislators for recognizing lupus as a significant women’s health issue which should be at the forefront each state’s healthcare agenda.

In addition to Ms. Raymond, the panel included Arthur Weinstein, MD, FACP, MACR, Chief of Rheumatology at the Washington Hospital Center. State representative Terri Austin, Indiana State Legislature, moderated the session entitled, “Lupus and its Impact on Women’s Health.”

Ms. Raymond also discussed several ways state legislators can help constituents by introducing model lupus research and education bills, requesting appropriations to support lupus programs, and sponsoring lupus advocacy days at their state capitols.

The three-day WIG event included panels of nationally known speakers who discussed a range of issues, including women's health, chronic disease, healthcare IT, and healthcare reform.