Unhiding Eczema on Capitol Hill: Highlights from NEA’s First-Ever Eczema Policy Summit

What happens when eczema advocates from across the country gather in Washington, D.C., with a shared mission? Change begins. 

On October 19 – 21, the National Eczema Association (NEA) took a bold step forward in eczema advocacy by hosting its first-ever Eczema Policy Summit (EPS) in Washington, D.C., timed to coincide with Eczema Awareness Month. The Summit brought together NEA Ambassadors, staff and board members to raise awareness and push for policy change at the federal level.

From personal stories to legislative wins, here’s how our community was able to #UnhideEczema in the halls of Congress.

From sea to shining sea then to Capitol Hill

Eight NEA Ambassadors traveled a combined 12,031 miles to be part of this landmark event.

The Summit kicked off with a welcoming rooftop reception overlooking the Capitol, a meaningful beginning to a weekend of education, advocacy and action.

For NEA Ambassador Jennifer Etienne of Florida, the experience marked a personal milestone in her advocacy journey. “I never thought I would ever be advocating for the same skin condition I grew up hating,” she said. “Becoming an ambassador, then doing Virtual Hill Day, then attending in person on Capitol Hill, really made me realize how important and impactful advocacy can be.”

Training for impact

Before heading into congressional meetings, Ambassadors and board members spent a full day training. They learned how to connect their eczema journeys to NEA’s policy priorities and practiced sharing their stories with clarity and confidence.

Ambassadors supported one another, discovering shared experiences and building lasting connections. As NEA Ambassador Leigh Antoinette Medina put it, “This was the most memorable experience I’ve had as a NEA Ambassador yet, and it was worth every mile I traveled to speak up for eczema in D.C.”

Advocacy in action

On a crisp Autumn morning, dressed in business attire and armed with legislative briefs, NEA’s delegation held 27 meetings with congressional offices. Their mission — to advocate for three key federal priorities that directly impact the eczema community:

• Reform step therapy, an insurance practice that can delay prescribed treatments, by passing the Safe Step Act (H.R. 5509 / S. 2903), ensuring patients can access the treatments their healthcare providers prescribe without unnecessary delays. 
• Provide $30.975 million in funding for the CDC’s Chronic Disease Education and Awareness Program in Fiscal Year 2026, of which NEA is a proud grant recipient.  
• Continue to include eczema in the Department of Defense Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program for Fiscal Year 2026.

Their efforts paid off as many offices expressed support for these policy priorities, and Senator Adam Schiff (CA) signed on to co-sponsor the Safe Step Act after meeting with NEA Ambassadors — a major win for the eczema community.

Lessons learned and impact moments

From powerful conversations to eye-opening insights, these standout moments captured the heart of NEA Ambassadors in action.

• Personal connections. Many congressional staffers shared their own eczema stories, proving that our community reaches even into the halls of government.
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• Bipartisan support. Despite political divides, support for eczema patients remains strong across party lines.
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• Education as advocacy. Ambassadors helped inform lawmakers about the real-life impact of eczema, including how moderate to severe cases can disqualify individuals from military service.
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Get involved, your voice drives change

By sharing real stories with lawmakers, NEA Ambassadors elevated their voices on behalf of the eczema community, building momentum for lasting change. But advocacy doesn’t end in D.C., it starts wherever you are.Whether you want to meet with legislators or raise awareness online, there’s a place for you in our advocacy community. Become a NEA Ambassador or join our network of digital advocates to help shape the future of eczema care, research and awareness. Your voice matters, and together, we can #UnhideEczema.