House Committee Approves Arthritis Bill

Legislation to Improve Lives for 46 Million People with Arthritis

ATLANTA, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Arthritis Foundation announces a major step in passing bi-partisan arthritis legislation in more than 30 years.  The Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act (H.R. 1210/S. 984) was approved today by the House Energy and Commerce Committee and will now go to the House of Representatives to vote on passage.

Bill sponsor U.S. Rep Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) urged the committee leadership to pass the bill in order to address arthritis, a disease that impacts one in five (46 million) Americans and 300,000 children and is the nation's most common cause of disability.  

"I'm very proud that my bipartisan legislation has been passed by the Energy and Commerce Committee.  The bill will provide states and non-profits the resources they need to tackle this debilitating disorder," Rep. Eshoo said.  "It invests in the critical needs of children and adults suffering from arthritis, and in research that will alleviate the costs to future generations of Americans who are diagnosed.  I'll continue to fight for this legislation until it's signed into law."

The Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act, when enacted, will better focus federally funded arthritis research, expand and strengthen public health initiatives proven to combat the burden of arthritis, and improve access to pediatric rheumatologists to address the country's severe shortage of these critical health professionals.

"The Arthritis Foundation is comprised of people all across this nation who have worked tirelessly over the past seven years to let Congress know that more needs to be done for people with arthritis," said Dr. John Klippel, president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation. "Our grassroots advocates deserve to be recognized for reaching and successfully communicating this message to the majority of Congress." To date, 179 Representatives have joined as co-sponsors of the bill.

The Arthritis Foundation urges people to show support for this bill by calling their member of congress  and becoming an advocate today.

The Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) is the leading health organization addressing the needs of the 46 million Americans, including 300,000 children, living with arthritis, the nation's most common cause of disability. The Foundation helps individuals take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; supporting research and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis.

SOURCE Arthritis Foundation