The Arthritis Foundation applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act (H.R. 1210/S.984), the first comprehensive, bipartisan arthritis legislation in more than 30 years.
Bill sponsor U.S. Rep Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) urged the House 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. To date, 179 Representatives have joined as co-sponsors of the bill.
If passed by the U.S. Senate and signed into law, the Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act 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.
"We applaud the House of Representatives for passing the Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act, and we appreciate, recognize and applaud the leadership of Rep. Eshoo for moving this critical legislation forward in the House," said Dr. John Klippel, president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation.
The Arthritis Foundation urges people to show support for this bill by calling their member of congress and becoming an advocate today.
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