[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 3, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1289]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF NATIONAL ARTHRITIS MONTH AND THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS 
                         LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 3, 2009

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize that last month 
was National Arthritis Awareness Month. This commemoration provided an 
important opportunity to discuss the serious impact of arthritis, 
particularly for older Americans, and to highlight the range of 
treatments available to improve the health and quality of life of 
individuals with arthritis. However, just because May is over, doesn't 
mean our awareness of arthritis and the millions of Americans living 
with arthritis should be any less diminished.
  The term arthritis describes more than 100 diseases and conditions 
affecting the joints. The most common form of arthritis is 
osteoarthritis, which is a painful chronic condition characterized by 
the breakdown of the joint's cartilage. Osteoarthritis affects almost 
27 million Americans. Older Americans are particularly impacted by this 
disease, with a third of the population 65 and older affected by 
osteoarthritis.
  Osteoarthritis limits the movement of most patients, and can 
seriously interfere with basic activities of daily living. In fact, 
osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the leading causes of disability 
among non-institutionalized adults. As an indication of the seriousness 
of this disease, hospitalizations for osteoarthritis also are on the 
rise, increasing from about 322,000 in 1993 to 735,000 in 2006.
  Fortunately, there are a range of treatments available that can help 
many individuals with osteoarthritis reduce the pain they experience, 
minimize damage to their joints, and improve their physical functions. 
In some cases, these treatments involve lifestyle modifications, such 
as exercise and weight loss. In other cases, physical therapy or 
medications can lead to improvements. And even in the more advanced 
cases of osteoarthritis, including those that have not responded to 
other treatments, surgical intervention, including debridement, 
resurfacing, and total joint replacement, can relieve pain and improve 
joint function.
  Given the prevalence of osteoarthritis among the elderly, it is 
especially important for senior citizens to know that Medicare covers a 
wide range of osteoarthritis treatments. Doctor's visits, physical 
therapy, and surgical procedures, including total joint replacement 
surgery, all may be covered by Medicare if medically appropriate. It is 
also important to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries with advanced OA 
do not forgo medically necessary joint replacement procedures because 
of concerns about copayments, since pain and disability can get 
progressively worse when such procedures are delayed. In fact, most 
Medicare beneficiaries have supplemental coverage, such as Medigap or 
employer-provided insurance, to help pay the premium, deductible, and 
coinsurance associated with joint replacement surgery. Fear about 
copayments should not stand in the way of a beneficiary obtaining 
relief from this painful and debilitating disease.
  Whether it be National Arthritis Awareness month or any month, 
individuals with arthritis should take the opportunity to talk to their 
doctors about lifestyle changes and other treatments available to help 
them manage their condition. With appropriate care, individuals with 
arthritis can take steps to live active, pain free lives.

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