Working to Create Rare Disease Advisory Councils in all 50 States
Fifteen states done, 35 to go.
Fifteen states have established a Rare Disease Advisory Council (RDAC) to give the rare disease community, including those living with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a stronger voice in state government. Another dozen states are actively working to establish RDACs this year.
With assistance from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), patient organizations, such as Sofia Sees Hope, and the broader rare disease community, RDACs around the country work to help states strategically address barriers faced by people living with rare diseases. The councils give stakeholders an opportunity to make formal recommendations to state leaders on critical rare disease issues, including increased awareness, diagnostic tools, and access to affordable treatments and cures.
Sofia Sees Hope, based in Ledyard, Conn., annually gives information to legislators on the Connecticut General Assembly’s Public Health Committee, letting them know that rare disease advocates and those living with a rare disease, need state and federal support in crafting legislation to help the rare disease community.
The last day of February each year is officially Rare Disease Day, a time to raise awareness among the public and decision makers about rare diseases and their impacts on patients’ lives. NORD sponsors Rare Disease Day in the United States, alongside its sister organization, the European Organization for Rare Disorders (EURODIS), which organizes the official international campaign.
Find out here what is happening globally in celebration of Rare Disease Day.
7,000 Rare Diseases in the U.S.
A disease is defined as rare in the United States if it affects fewer than 200,000 Americans. LCA and other inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are among the approximately 7,000 rare diseases that exist nationally, affecting 1 in 10 people. These diseases include more than 500 types of rare cancers and all pediatric cancers.
Between 25-30 million Americans live with a rare disease, including about 300,000 in Connecticut.
NORD’s Connecticut Rare Action Network, along with other such groups nationwide, will highlight RDACs as part of its virtual celebration of Rare Disease Day 2021. Connecticut’s Rare Disease Day celebration will be at 9 a.m. ET, Friday, Feb. 26. You can register to participate in this free event by clicking here.
NORD also just released its sixth edition of its State Report Card* that analyzes the 50 states and Washington, D.C., on eight policy issues that impact the rare disease community. The organization launched its report card project to evaluate the effectiveness of states serving people with rare diseases.
Each state has its own report card that addresses Medicaid Financial Eligibility, Medicaid Nutrition, Newborn Screening, Prescription Drug Out-of-Pocket Costs, Protecting Patients in State Medicaid Programs, Protecting Patients in State-Regulated Insurance, Rare Disease Advisory Councils, and Step Therapy (trying less expensive options before “stepping up” to drugs that cost more).
RDACs advocate for patients and caregivers
State governments make decisions every day affecting the rare community. They play critical roles in ensuring access to health care providers, services, and treatments needed to thrive, along with the design of their Medicaid program benefits, and regulation of some insurance plans. The councils offer forums for discussion about these issues.
As one Connecticut legislator said at a previous celebration, having one day to recognize rare diseases is not enough.
“It needs to be Rare Disease Day every day in the state of Connecticut,” said State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, co-chairman of the General Assembly’s Public Health Committee.
Connecticut Volunteer State Ambassador Lesley Bennet – along with ambassadors nationwide, doctors, researchers, advocates, caregivers, patients, legislators, and business leaders – take this time to advocate state-by-state for better resources and outcomes for people living with rare diseases.
Bennett said many of their patients have difficulty getting access to services because people don’t understand the disorders.
Patients, caregivers, families, and providers in North Carolina created the first RDAC six years ago; 15 states have active councils with1 2 more on their way toward fruition, for a total of 27 states.
Another 23 states, including Connecticut, do not have such councils but efforts continue through NORD’s Project RDAC, launched last fall. Connecticut established a task force to study whether to create an RDAC, but the group disbanded in 2019.
Check out this map to see if your state has an RDAC or if NORD is working on legislation to create one. To start an effort in a new state, go to RDAC@rarediseases.org.
Council composition varies from state to state in size, duties, and accountability requirements. It also depends on the type of entity that houses the RDAC, such as a state department of health or a non-profit organization.
A council typically comprises various stakeholders, including patients, caregivers, doctors, insurers, biotechnology companies, researchers, and state officials.
Project RDAC aims to optimize the existing councils and increase the number of groups nationwide by opening collaborative opportunities among the councils, creating educational resources to guide them, and helping more states pass legislation establishing high-functioning councils.