Advocacy efforts to protect opioids as a viable treatmEnt option
The RLS Foundation’s commitment to advocacy led RLSF staff to Washington DC on February 5-6. They met with legislative staff on key committees, emphasizing the need for research funding, enhanced awareness and protected access to critical treatment therapies. The Foundation staff also met with congressional representatives in August 2023. Read more about how they represented the RLS community in Washington DC!
Advocacy also involves YOU. Learn more about our Legislative Priorities so you can join the cause by using your voice and adding your 2 cents!
Learn how to make change at the local level and from the comfort of your home, in this Prep Packet.
Members of the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of the Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Foundation collaborated on this important article, "The Appropriate Use of Opioids in the Treatment of Refractory Restless Legs Syndrome" published in the January issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings to provide a clinical approach for appropriate use of opioids to treat refractory RLS. At a time of heightened national concern about opioid abuse, this new guidance is available to help health care providers safely prescribe opioids to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS).
With the help of HMCW, we expect to increase awareness among policy makers about the serious nature of RLS, the need for individuals with RLS to have access to opioids when they are the best treatment option, and the need for more funding for research that will help us identify better treatments and find a cure for RLS.
Ready to take action now? Submit your opioid experience for use in future letters to legislators, or email Matt Duquette (Duquette@hmcw.org) at the Health and Medicine Counsel of Washington.
HMCW will provide direction on how to:
- Personalize letters to your members of Congress
- Visit local congressional offices with others
- Participate in briefings and meetings on Capitol Hill
We will continue to update this page with materials and ways you can participate to keep opioids as a viable option for managing refractory RLS.