Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2010

Madam Speaker, May is National Arthritis Awareness Month and I rise to let Americans know how they can prevent and decrease the pain and disability of arthritis. Arthritis is the nation's most common cause of disability in the U.S., affecting 46 million adults and 300,000 children. Arthritis is also a common co-morbidity for most other chronic diseases. For example, 57% of adults with heart disease and 52% of adults with diabetes also have arthritis.

There are over 100 types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis, the most common form, affects 27 million Americans, often causing severe pain and disability, interfering with work productivity, and resulting in joint replacement. The risk of osteoarthritis increases rapidly beginning at age 45, affecting many people in their prime working years. The combination of the aging Baby Boomer population, increased longevity, and the obesity epidemic are creating a ``perfect storm'' for dramatically increasing the prevalence of osteoarthritis, especially in women.

Despite this troubling prediction, there is some good news. Numerous new initiatives are underway to address these issues. The National Public Health Agenda for Osteoarthritis, developed through a partnership of the Arthritis Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 50 other organizations, a blueprint for actions to stem the tide of osteoarthritis. The Agenda states the need to increase availability of evidence-based intervention strategies; increase public health attention for prevention and disease management; increase research to better understand disease risk factors and other effective disease management strategies.

In addition, a new national public service advertising campaign is being undertaken and the Arthritis Foundation is encouraging adults to take simple steps to prevent or decrease the pain and disability of osteoarthritis. The new multimedia campaign features messages about the important role that physical activity and weight reduction play in preventing and managing osteoarthritis. The related website-- www.fightarthritispain.org_includes important information, like an osteoarthritis risk assessment tool for people to find out their risk level and learn how to fight osteoarthritis pain, and

tips, videos and podcasts on how to get moving.

While these are important steps to help individuals cope with arthritis, more needs to be done to research the causes and new interventions for the disease. That is why I am a strong supporter of H.R. 1210, the Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act. This bill, which currently has 173 bipartisan co-sponsors, would invest in needed arthritis research, provider training, and public education efforts. I encourage my colleagues to join me as a cosponsor of this legislation to support all Americans currently living with arthritis, and those who will be diagnosed in the future.

Madam Speaker, today I rise in recognition of a brave young girl in my district, Alicia Seidel, and congratulate her for being named an honoree at the 2009 Arthritis Walk happening this Saturday in Bellevue, Washington, and for living her life so bravely while battling her disease.

Alicia, a ten-year-old fifth grader from Sammamish, Washington, was diagnosed in 2007 with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Immediately before and for some time following the diagnosis, Alicia struggled to do something as simple as holding a pencil. Thankfully, the wonderful doctors, specialists and staff at Swedish Medical Center and Children's Hospital in Seattle worked to alleviate the pain Alicia was under, which allowed her to act like the vivacious girl she is. My office had the opportunity to meet Alicia and her mom, Cynthia, more than a year ago to discuss Alicia's ailment and a photo from that meeting is proudly displayed in our office; her infectious nature and sweet disposition made a lasting impact.

The Arthritis Prevention Control and Cure Act, H.R. 1210, of 2009 is legislation I'm proud to have co-sponsored. At this time, the legislation is in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and I encourage the entire House to act on it as quickly as possible because it is an important bill. The bill would, among many other things, focus attention on juvenile arthritis research by creating a juvenile arthritis database and provide financial incentives to encourage more health professionals to enter the field of pediatric rheumatology. Additionally, I will continue to work on behalf of young people like Alicia to urge Congress to make a long-term, sustained investment in medical research through the National Institutes of Health because it represents our greatest hope for finding cures and treatments for debilitating conditions like arthritis and freeing Alicia and her family from the constraints of arthritis.

On behalf of the House of Representatives, I extend our sincerest congratulations to Alicia, for her courageous spirit and the inspiration provided to 300,000 other young people struggling with this disease today, and our best wishes in the 2009 Arthritis Walk.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my legislation, H.R. 1210, the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act. I have fought long and hard for this bill alongside the Arthritis Foundation, the American College of Rheumatology, and the thousands of advocates across the country who understand how important this is. The legislation enjoys the bipartisan support of 181 Members of the House, and passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously.

One out of every five adults suffers from arthritis, making it the most common cause of disability in the United States. More than 300,000 children suffer from juvenile arthritis. Early diagnosis for this disease is critical to ensure children get access to the right doctor and the care they need.

My bill will authorize the ``National Arthritis Action Plan,'' giving legislative direction and leadership to a program which has proven successful since 1998. The Plan distributes important grants to states and nonprofits to carry out arthritis outreach and education activities. The bill expands the Secretary of Health and Human Services' authority to increase juvenile arthritis research at NIH, and authorizes important institutional training grants to increase the number of pediatric rheumatologists in the U.S.

I'm proud of the work I've done to raise awareness about the devastating effects of arthritis but I'm far prouder of the tireless work of the arthritis advocates who have walked these halls, called their Representatives, and shared their stories. Their grassroots efforts are at the heart of this bill and I'm so pleased we could work on this together.

Passage of the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act is also a tribute to my friend, Senator Edward Kennedy, as we introduced this legislation together in the 110th Congress. His commitment to public health, improving care for children, and ending suffering are the principles which guided everything he did and I know he's looking down on us today and smiling.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 1210 would enhance our Nation's efforts to combat arthritis. I am a cosponsor of the legislation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 46 million Americans have arthritis, though the number is expected to increase as the country's population ages. The Centers for Disease Control also estimates that almost 300,000 children have arthritis.

This bill will help in the fight against arthritis in the following ways:

First, the bill would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national arthritis action plan.

Second, it would allow the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants for arthritis research, surveillance, and education.

Third, the bill would permit the National Institutes of Health to expand its research into children with rheumatic diseases.

Finally, the bill would allow Health and Human Services to award grants to increase the number of pediatric rheumatologists.

I have spoken with several rheumatologists who have discussed the importance of this legislation. Unfortunately, those in need of rheumatologists, especially pediatric rheumatologists, often have very few options. This bill is an important first step in addressing a critical workforce shortfall.

I am a cosponsor of the legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1210) to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for arthritis research and public health, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise this evening in strong support of H.R. 1210, the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2010.

This bill provides for enhanced arthritis public health efforts at CDC, enhanced juvenile arthritis research activities at NIH, and new authorities at the Health Resources and Service Administration to support training for new pediatric rheumatologists. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I urge passage of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.