[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 18 (Thursday, February 17, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1634-S1635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BOND (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Talent, Mr. Johnson, 
        and Mr. Isakson):
  S. 424. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for 
arthritis research and public health, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it is an honor to join my colleagues, 
Senators Bond, Talent, Johnson, and Isakson, in introducing the 
``Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2005'', and I commend 
them for their commitment to this important issue. The bill is the 
product of extensive cooperation and input from the arthritis 
community, including health providers, patients, and their families. 
Through this legislation we hope to lessen the burden of arthritis and 
other rheumatic diseases on citizens across the Nation.
  Seventy million adults--one of every three in the nation--suffer from 
arthritis or related conditions, and all ages are affected. Nearly two-
thirds of its victims are under the age of 65, and 300,000 are 
children. Arthritis accounts for 4 million days of hospital care each 
year, and results in 44 million outpatient visits. It costs $51 million 
in annual medical care, and $86 million more in lost productivity. For 
8 million Americans, it is an overwhelming hardship involving serious 
disability.
  In recent years, research into the prevention and treatment of 
arthritis has led to measures to improve the quality of life for large 
numbers of persons suffering from the disease. We know that early 
diagnosis, treatment, and appropriate management are key to success. A 
National Arthritis Action Plan has been developed that could provide 
timely information and more effective medical care nationwide, but less 
than one percent of persons with arthritis are benefiting from the 
knowledge. With a real commitment, we can bring the highest quality of 
care to everyone with arthritis.
  Our legislation will implement strategies to carry out the National 
Arthritis Action Plan. That means supporting prevention and treatment 
programs and developing education and outreach activities. It means 
coordinating and increasing research for prevention and treatment, and 
applying the results to every age group affected by the disease.

[[Page S1635]]

  We include planning grants to support innovative research on juvenile 
arthritis in order to develop better care and treatment for children, 
and collect data on its likely causes. We support training for health 
providers specializing in pediatric rheumatology, so that all children 
will have greater access to these uniquely qualified physicians.
  The legislation will improve the quality of life for large numbers of 
adults and children. It will save lives, reduce disability, and avoid 
millions of dollars in medical costs. Citizens everywhere will have 
greater access to the latest research and medical care to prevent and 
treat this debilitating disease. I urge our colleagues to support this 
much needed legislation.
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