March 1, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Anna G. Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, introduced H.R. 1283, the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act, to increase research funding and support services for the 46 million Americans living with this painful, chronic disease.

"Arthritis is already the leading cause of disability in the United States affecting one out of every five adult Americans and more than 300,000 children. Many of those suffering are not receiving the care or the basic information they need to manage the disease," said Eshoo, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.

"My legislation increases our capacity to treat, cure and ultimately prevent the more than 100 different forms of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases that diminish patients' quality of life and affect the lives of their families and caregivers," Eshoo said.

The bill:

• Enhances the National Arthritis Action Plan by providing additional support to federal, state and private efforts to prevent and manage arthritis;

• Develops a National Arthritis Education and Outreach Campaign to educate the healthcare profession and the public on successful self-management strategies for controlling arthritis;

• Organizes a National Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases Summit to look at challenges and opportunities related to basic, clinical and translational research and development efforts to ensure greater coordination and intensified federal research efforts;

• Provides greater attention to juvenile arthritis research through the creation of planning grants for innovative research specific to juvenile arthritis; and

• Establishes education loan repayment and career development award programs to create incentives for health professionals entering the field of pediatric rheumatology.

The Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act was introduced with 57 original cosponsors and has the strong endorsement of both the Arthritis Foundation and the American College of Rheumatology.