[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 16956-16958]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          ARTHRITIS PREVENTION, CONTROL, AND CURE ACT OF 2010

  Mr. PALLONE. 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.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1210

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Arthritis Prevention, 
     Control, and Cure Act of 2010''.

     SEC. 2. ENHANCING PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIVITIES RELATED TO 
                   ARTHRITIS THROUGH THE NATIONAL ARTHRITIS ACTION 
                   PLAN.

       Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 243 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 314 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 315. NATIONAL ARTHRITIS ACTION PLAN.

       ``(a) Establishment of Plan.--The Secretary may develop and 
     implement a National Arthritis Action Plan (in this section 
     referred to as the `Plan') consistent with this section.
       ``(b) Control, Prevention, and Surveillance.--
       ``(1) In general.--Under the Plan, the Secretary may, 
     directly or through competitive grants to eligible entities, 
     conduct, support, and promote the coordination of research, 
     investigations, demonstrations, training, and studies 
     relating to the control, prevention, and surveillance of 
     arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
       ``(2) Training and technical assistance.--
       ``(A) Provision.--Upon the request of an applicant 
     receiving a grant under paragraph (1), the Secretary may, 
     subject to subparagraph (B), provide training, technical 
     assistance, supplies, equipment, or services for the purpose 
     of aiding the applicant in carrying out grant activities and, 
     for such purpose, may detail to the applicant any officer or 
     employee of the Department of Health and Human Services.
       ``(B) Corresponding reduction in payments.--With respect to 
     a request described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall 
     reduce the amount of payments under the grant under paragraph 
     (1) to the applicant involved by an amount equal to the costs 
     of detailing personnel (including pay, allowances, and travel 
     expenses) and the fair market value of any supplies, 
     equipment, or services provided by the Secretary.
       ``(3) Arthritis prevention research at the centers for 
     disease control and prevention.--The Secretary may provide 
     additional grant support under this subsection to encourage 
     the expansion of research related to the prevention and 
     management of arthritis at the Centers for Disease Control 
     and Prevention.
       ``(4) Eligible entity.--For purposes of this subsection, 
     the term `eligible entity' means a public or private 
     nonprofit entity that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the 
     Secretary, in the application described in subsection (e), 
     the ability of the entity to carry out the activities 
     described in paragraph (1).
       ``(c) Education and Outreach.--
       ``(1) In general.--Under the Plan, the Secretary may 
     coordinate and carry out national education and outreach 
     activities, directly or through the provision of grants to 
     eligible entities, to support, develop, and implement 
     education initiatives and outreach strategies appropriate for 
     arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
       ``(2) Initiatives and strategies.--Initiatives and 
     strategies implemented under paragraph (1) may include public 
     awareness campaigns, public service announcements, and 
     community partnership workshops, as well as programs targeted 
     to businesses and employers, managed care organizations, and 
     health care providers.
       ``(3) Priority.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary--
       ``(A) may emphasize prevention, early diagnosis, and 
     appropriate management of arthritis, and opportunities for 
     effective patient self-management; and
       ``(B) may give priority to reaching high-risk or 
     underserved populations.
       ``(4) Collaboration.--In carrying out this subsection, the 
     Secretary shall consult and collaborate with stakeholders 
     from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors with 
     expertise relating to arthritis control, prevention, and 
     treatment.
       ``(5) Eligible entity.--For purposes of this subsection, 
     the term `eligible entity' means a public or private 
     nonprofit entity that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the 
     Secretary, in the application described in subsection (e), 
     the ability of the entity to carry out the activities 
     described in paragraph (1).
       ``(d) Comprehensive State Grants.--
       ``(1) In general.--Under the Plan, the Secretary may award 
     grants to eligible entities to provide support for 
     comprehensive arthritis control and prevention programs and 
     to enable such entities to provide public health 
     surveillance, prevention, and control activities related to 
     arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
       ``(2) Application.--The Secretary may only award a grant 
     under this subsection to an eligible entity that submits to 
     the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, 
     and containing such agreements, assurances, and information 
     as the Secretary may require, including a comprehensive 
     arthritis control and prevention plan that--
       ``(A) is developed with the advice of stakeholders from the 
     public, private, and nonprofit sectors that have expertise 
     relating to arthritis control, prevention, and treatment that 
     increase the quality of life and decrease the level of 
     disability;
       ``(B) is intended to reduce the morbidity of arthritis, 
     with priority on preventing and controlling arthritis in at-
     risk populations and reducing disparities in arthritis 
     prevention, diagnosis, management, and quality of care in 
     underserved populations;

[[Page 16957]]

       ``(C) describes the arthritis-related services and 
     activities to be undertaken or supported by the entity; and
       ``(D) demonstrates the relationship the entity has with the 
     community and local entities and how the entity plans to 
     involve such community and local entities in carrying out the 
     activities described in paragraph (1).
       ``(3) Use of funds.--An eligible entity may use amounts 
     received under a grant awarded under this subsection to 
     conduct, in a manner consistent with the comprehensive 
     arthritis control and prevention plan submitted by the entity 
     in the application under paragraph (2)--
       ``(A) public health surveillance and epidemiological 
     activities relating to the prevalence of arthritis and 
     assessment of disparities in arthritis prevention, diagnosis, 
     management, and care;
       ``(B) public information and education programs; and
       ``(C) education, training, and clinical skills improvement 
     activities for health professionals, including allied health 
     personnel.
       ``(4) Eligible entity.--For purposes of this subsection, 
     the term `eligible entity' means a State or an Indian tribe.
       ``(e) General Application.--The Secretary may only award a 
     grant under subsection (b) or (c) to an entity that submits 
     to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, 
     and containing such agreements, assurances, and information 
     as the Secretary may require, including a description of how 
     funds received under a grant awarded under such subsection 
     will supplement or fulfill unmet needs identified in a 
     comprehensive arthritis control and prevention plan of the 
     entity.
       ``(f) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
       ``(1) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the 
     meaning given such term in section 4(e) of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act.
       ``(2) State.--The term `State' means any of the 50 States, 
     the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
     the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern 
     Mariana Islands.
       ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--
       ``(1) for fiscal year 2012, $14,600,000;
       ``(2) for fiscal year 2013, $16,000,000;
       ``(3) for fiscal year 2014, $17,700,000;
       ``(4) for fiscal year 2015, $19,400,000; and
       ``(5) for fiscal year 2016, $21,400,000.''.

     SEC. 3. ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN 
                   SERVICES WITH RESPECT TO JUVENILE ARTHRITIS AND 
                   RELATED CONDITIONS.

       Part B of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 284 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 409K. JUVENILE ARTHRITIS AND RELATED CONDITIONS.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in coordination with the 
     Director of NIH, may expand and intensify programs of the 
     National Institutes of Health with respect to research and 
     related activities designed to improve the outcomes and 
     quality of life for children with arthritis and other 
     rheumatic diseases.
       ``(b) Coordination.--The Director of NIH may coordinate the 
     programs referred to in subsection (a) and consult with 
     additional Federal officials, voluntary health associations, 
     medical professional societies, and private entities, as 
     appropriate.''.

     SEC. 4. INVESTMENT IN TOMORROW'S PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGISTS.

       Subpart I of part C of title VII of the Public Health 
     Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293k et seq.) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:

     ``SEC. 749A-1. PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGISTS.

       ``In order to ensure an adequate future supply of pediatric 
     rheumatologists, the Secretary, in consultation with the 
     Administrator of the Health Resources and Services 
     Administration, may award institutional training grants to 
     institutions to support pediatric rheumatology training.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PALLONE. 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.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PALLONE. 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.
  Mr. BURGESS. 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. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Arthritis 
Prevention, Control, and Cure Act. It is estimated that approximately 
46 million Americans suffer from arthritis or chronic joint symptoms. 
Of those, 19 million suffer enough to limit their activities. According 
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), by the year 
2030, 25 percent of the population in the United States will have 
physician-diagnosed arthritis. Those projections are likely to be low 
since they do now account for an expected increase attributable to 
rising obesity rates.
  Arthritis affects the daily lives of its victims in powerful ways. 
The pain is often chronic and relief can be rare. The inability to 
kneel or even walk more than a few hundred yards requires profound 
changes in almost every aspect of lifestyle. Those stricken might risk 
losing their job, and their ability to provide for loved ones. It is a 
devastating disease with no known cure.
  The Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act, would establish the 
National Arthritis Action Program. This program will help in the 
research and identification of ailments, possible treatments, and 
preventative methods of Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. It will 
also allow the CDC to access more grant money, permitting them to 
further their research. Those already suffering from arthritis will be 
assisted with control and prevention programs along with opportunities 
for patients to learn self-management. It would also provide education 
of the public and education and training for physicians.
  I am proud to support this bill as an important first step toward a 
day when we can prevent, treat, and cure Arthritis.
  Ms. ESHOO. 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.

[[Page 16958]]

  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. PALLONE. I urge passage of the bill, and I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1210, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BURGESS. 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.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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