Local Advocate Travels to Nation’s Capital for Headache on the Hill

Caroline Stowe, DNP, FNP-BC, AQH of Annandale, VA spoke to representatives of the VA Congressional delegation on March 19th about priority issues affecting 40 million Americans who experience headache disorders and migraine disease.

Stowe traveled to our nation’s capital in Washington’s DC to represent Virginia along with over 275 other Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy (AHDA) advocates from all 50 states as part of the AHDA’s annual Headache on the Hill advocacy day.

Stowe met with Congressional staff to Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, as well as Reps. Morgan McGriffith, Jennifer Wexton and Gerry Connolly. This marked the return of the first fully in-person Headache on the Hill (HOH) since before the pandemic.

Getting to advocate for those with headache disorders, as a family nurse practitioner, is an incredible privilege. This was my first opportunity to be fully in-person, and what an incredible experience it was!

Senators and Representatives were encouraged to co-sponsor the Safe Step Act. Step therapy, sometimes called a “fail-first requirement,” is a protocol in which a health insurer will deny coverage for a prescribed prescription or treatment until an alternative insurer-preferred treatment is first attempted. Patients with headache disorders are some of the most impacted by step therapy protocols and delay in treatment can result in a chronification of disease.

Offices were also asked by HOH advocates to consider cosponsoring the NIH Clinical Trial Diversity Act. The NIH Clinical Trial Diversity Act seeks to address critical gaps in clinical research by promoting inclusivity and diversity in clinical trials. Recognizing that diseases affect people differently based on a variety of factors including race, ethnicity, age, sex, and sexual orientation, the Act underscores the necessity of including a broad spectrum of participants to ensure that scientific advancements benefit all communities equally.

Lastly, Stowe advocated for robust funding for the Veterans Health Administration’s Headache Disorders Centers of Excellence. As of fiscal year 2023, more than 1.99 million Veterans received headache care across more than 12.6 million visits for headache within VA Medical Centers. This represents 17% of the Veteran population receiving care within VHA. The increase in headache seen within VHA has been associated with increased utilization of VHA in general, and more specifically among patients at highest risk for headache – women Veterans and Veterans with TBI/concussion. Additionally, because of the PACT Act, more Veterans than ever are using VHA for their healthcare.

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About AHDA: The Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy (AHDA) is an umbrella organization uniting headache advocates nationwide. Its ongoing mission is to make life better for the millions of Americans living with headache disorders in our country. Founded in 2008, the AHDA is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit is supported by member contributions and individual donors. More at https://allianceforheadacheadvocacy.org/

About Headache on Hill: Headache on the Hill (HOH) is an annual advocacy event organized by the AHDA. The AHDA brings together health professionals, headache advocates, patients, caregivers and researchers in support of the common goal to make life better for all those living with or otherwise impacted by headache disorders in the United States. HOH asks are typically focused on improving awareness about headache disorders and the need for greater research funding.