Advocacy Tools & Resources

We are glad to count you as part of our team of volunteers from across the country advocating on behalf of the millions of Americans living with inflammatory bowel disease.

Our resources will help you fine tune your advocacy skills, learn our legislative priorities, and feel comfortable sharing your story with legislators.

Fact Sheets

Learn more about what we are fighting for. You can print these and give them to your legislators to let them know what you’d like them to support.

• Safe Step Act
• Medical Nutrition Equity Act

• Congressional Crohn's and Colitis Caucus

Video Tutorials for Virtual Advocacy

Meeting with your legislators and their staff—even virtually—is one of the most effective advocacy actions you can take to effect public policy change. See our video resources below which provide tips to make an effective virtual advocate. 

• How to find your legislators and request a meeting
• How to conduct a legislative meeting or call
• Telling your story/Step therapy
• The National Council of College Leaders present:
  • How NOT to do a legislative call
  • How to do a legislative call

Skills-Building

Each month, we launch a new advocacy activity to help advocates refine their skills and to advance IBD policy initiatives. Check out the Advocacy Roadmap to see what we’re working on now.

• 2022 Advocacy Roadmap
• Crafting Your Story to Effect Change
• How to Make a Legislative Visit
• Legislative Meeting Roles and Structure
• Identify Your Legislators - includes social media handles

Forms and Templates

• Legislative Contacts Tracker
• Template Thank You Note - use this thank you note to follow up on a legislative meeting

Position Statements 

• Biosimilars Position Statement
• Access to Care Position Statement
• Access to Methotrexate and Other Medications Position Statement

Policy Documents

These documents highlight the advocacy work the Foundation and our volunteers have done on behalf of IBD patients and their families.

• IBD Issues Support
• House Safe Step Act Sponsor Letter Requesting a Mark-Up in 2022
• House Fiscal Year 2022 IBD Research Letter
• Texas vs. HHS Amicus Brief
• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Statement for the Record Celebrating the Foundation's 50th Anniversary
• Senate Fiscal Year 2020 DOD Letter - to include IBD in the Department of Defense Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program