House Passes Eshoo Arthritis Prevention Bill

Press Release

The House today passed legislation authored by Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D - Palo Alto) that will make landmark investments in research and support services for those suffering from arthritis. The Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act (H.R. 1283) helps the nearly one in five adults and 300,000 children in America that suffer from arthritis.

"Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States and affects the more than 46.3 million Americans who are living with this disease," said Eshoo. "The bill invests in the critical needs of those suffering from arthritis and in research that will help future generations of Americans who are diagnosed with the disease."

The legislation makes critical investments in research and support services for those suffering from arthritis. The bill enhances the National Arthritis Action Plan by supporting federal, state, and private arthritis prevention and management efforts. It also focuses attention on juvenile arthritis research by creating planning grants for innovative research in that field and establishes education loan repayment and career development award programs to encourage more health professionals to enter the field of pediatric rheumatology.

While more than 300,000 children suffer from pediatric arthritis, there are only 239 pediatric rheumatologists in the country that are able to treat them. There are eleven states without even one doctor to diagnose and treat these children.

"The cornerstone of this bill is the loan repayment to physicians who agree to practice pediatric rheumatology in underserved areas."

The bill, which was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, has the support of the Arthritis Foundation and the American College of Rheumatology.

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