On Capitol Hill

CSRO Leadership Represents at the Autoimmune Association Annual Fly-In 

CSRO board members Michael Saitta, MD, Mark Box, MD, and Harry Gewanter, MD, participated in the annual Autoimmune Association Legislative Fly-In on March 19, 2026, in Washington, DC. Joining patient advocates from across the country, the leaders met with members of Congress and their staff to push for meaningful policy change on issues impacting the autoimmune disease community. Their priorities included advancing prior authorization reform, addressing the high cost of medications, and protecting federal research funding that patients depend on. For patients living with autoimmune disease, these aren't policy abstractions — they are daily realities that impact access to necessary care. CSRO's presence at the Fly-In ensured that rheumatology's voice was part of the conversation.

Legislation Around the Country

NY: CSRO Stands Against 340B Contract Pharmacy Expansion

Throughout the legislative session, CSRO has taken a strong stand against legislation that would drive the unchecked expansion of 340B contract pharmacies in New York. The Coalition submitted formal comments to the Senate Finance Committee and Assembly leadership, urging lawmakers to reject the measure, and simultaneously launched a grassroots campaign to mobilize New York community members to contact their state representatives in opposition.

Central to CSRO's advocacy is a critical concern: the legislation lacks meaningful guardrails to ensure that expanded 340B contract pharmacies would deliver discounted medications to the low-income and vulnerable patients in New York, the program is meant to serve. CSRO has also warned lawmakers that the bill could accelerate consolidation across the healthcare landscape, leaving independent rheumatology practices increasingly exposed to acquisition by large 340B hospital systems. When the measure passed the New York State Assembly, CSRO moved quickly — submitting comments directly to Governor Kathy Hochul, urging her to reject the legislation and prevent it from becoming law.

MD: CSRO Fights to Close Anti-Steering Loophole to Increase Access for Rheumatology Patients  

On March 23, CSRO submitted formal comments to the Maryland House Committee on Health, urging support for legislation that would ban PBMs and health plans from steering patients to specific specialty pharmacies — particularly mail-order pharmacies that often delay rheumatologic care. CSRO member, Angus Worthing, MD, delivered testimony before the Committee, drawing on his firsthand experience navigating mail-order PBM requirements in his rheumatology practice. Dr. Worthing spoke to the real-world impact these mandates have on his patients, and the meaningful difference in-office dispensing can make in their care.

In its written comments, CSRO highlighted a critical loophole in Maryland's 2019 anti-steering law that continues to allow PBMs to steer patients away from specialty drugs dispensed in rheumatology practices. The Maryland General Assembly closed this gap for oncology patients last session — SB 1461 would extend those same protections to patients with rheumatologic diseases. CSRO made the case that allowing rheumatology practices to dispense medications directly in-office ensures proper handling, immediate access following prescribing, and faster treatment starts — all of which improve medication adherence, reduce clinical risk, and protect patient health.

What's Happening in the States

Interested in learning more about CSRO’s engagement in the states? Visit our State Legislation Correspondence page to review the letters submitted to state legislatures on CSRO’s priority issues.

Click above to access CSRO’s new State Legislative Tracker to find the status of CSRO’s priority legislation affecting the rheumatology community and its patients at the state level.

Business of Rheumatology Webinar: April 15, 2026

Join us virtually to gain practical insights into today’s biosimilar market and learn how to navigate these changes with confidence. Participants will walk away with strategies to choose biosimilars intentionally, protect practice margins, and improve patient access—while adapting to the evolving reimbursement environment. Register here!

Advocacy Conference: October 2-3, 2026

Join us in Washington, D.C. for CSRO’s flagship Advocacy Conference to learn, network, and strategize around patient access to care. Sign up for the Registration Launch here!

Fellows Conference: March 19-20, 2027

Calling all rheumatology fellows! Mark your calendars to join us in San Antonio, TX , for the CSRO annual Fellows Conference. Sign up for the Registration Launch here!

State Society Conferences:

CSRO's state rheumatology society members host their own annual meetings throughout the year. Find a listing of these state-specific conferences on our website.

Action Center

Use CSRO's convenient online platform to easily find out who your elected officials are and engage with them directly.

Career Center

Locate the perfect fit whether you're looking for new career opportunities or trying to find the right candidate.

Explanatory Statement: “Underwater” Biosimilars

To aid in addressing the issue of "underwater" biosimilars with payers, CSRO has created a document to illustrate the extent of the problem.

Legislative Map Tool

Find your state on our interactive map tool to learn about current or proposed policy and ways you can take action to make an impact.

Payer Issues Reporting Form

Request assistance with any payer relation issues that may be impacting your patients or office.

Policy Correspondence

Easily access all of CSRO’s policy letters submitted to payers, state, and federal governments as an informational resource.

Rheum for Action

Learn about the latest advocacy issues in CSRO's advocacy column authored by Dr. Madelaine Feldman and produced in partnership with Medscape.

Step Therapy Cover Sheets

Review CSRO's state-specific step therapy materials that help guide practices in gaining an exemption from step therapy protocols.

Questions?

Please visit the CSRO website for other news and updates, and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions at info@csro.info.