(5) Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases are 
the leading cause of disability among adults in the 
United States. More than 8,000,000 people in the 
United States are disabled by arthritis and other 
rheumatic diseases. By 2020, arthritis will limit the 
daily activities of nearly 12,000,000 individuals. 
(6) Nearly 60 percent of people of the United 
States with arthritis are of working age. In general, 
people with arthritis have a low rate of participation 
in the workforce. Arthritis is exceeded only by heart 
disease as a cause of work disability. 
(7) Nearly 300,000 children in the United 
States, or 3 children out of every 1,000, have some 
form of arthritis or other rheumatic disease. It is the 
sense of Congress that the substantial morbidity as-
sociated with pediatric arthritis warrants a greater 
Federal investment in research to identify new and 
more effective treatments for these diseases. 
(8) Arthritis results in 750,000 hospitalizations, 
44,000,000 outpatient visits, and 4,000,000 days of 
hospital care every year, according to the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention. 
(9) The Centers for Disease Control and Pre-
vention estimate that the annual cost of medical care 
for arthritis is $51,000,000, and the estimated an-
nual total cost of arthritis to the United States, in-
cluding lost productivity, exceeds $86,000,000. 
(10) In 1975, the National Arthritis Act of 
1974 (Public Law 93–640) was enacted to promote 
basic and clinical arthritis research, establish Multi-
purpose Arthritis Centers, and expand clinical 
knowledge in the field of arthritis. The Act was suc-
cessfully implemented, and continued funding of ar-
thritis-related research has led to important ad-
vances in arthritis control, treatment, and preven-
tion. 
(11) Early diagnosis, treatment, and appro-
priate management of arthritis can control symp-
toms and improve quality of life. Weight control and 
exercise can demonstrably lower health risks from 
arthritis, as can other forms of patient education, 
training, and self-management. The genetics of ar-
thritis are being actively investigated. New, innova-
tive, and increasingly effective drug therapies, joint 
replacements, and other therapeutic options are 
being developed. 
(12) While research has identified many effec-
tive interventions against arthritis, such interven-
tions are broadly underutilized. That underutiliza-
tion leads to unnecessary loss of life, health, and
quality of life, as well as avoidable or unnecessarily 
high health care costs. Arthritis self-management 
can reduce both patient pain and health care costs, 
with some self-management programs reducing ar-
thritis pain by 20 percent and physician visits by 40 
percent. Yet less than 1 percent of the 49,000,000 
people in the United States with arthritis participate 
in such programs, and self-management courses are 
not offered in all areas of the United States. 
(13) Rheumatologists are internists or pediatric 
sub-specialists that are uniquely qualified by an ad-
ditional 2 to 4 years of training and experience in 
the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic conditions. 
Typically, rheumatologists act as consultants, but 
also often act as managers, relying on the help of 
many skilled professionals, including nurses, physical 
and occupational therapists, psychologists, and social 
workers. Many rheumatologists conduct research to 
determine the cause and effective treatment of dis-
abling and sometimes fatal rheumatic diseases. 
(14) Recognizing that the Nation requires a 
public health approach to arthritis, the Department 
of Health and Human Services established impor-
tant national goals related to arthritis in its Healthy 
People 2010 initiative. Moreover, various Federal
and non-Federal stakeholders have worked coopera-
tively to develop a comprehensive National Arthritis 
Action Plan: A Public Health Strategy. 
(15) Greater efforts and commitments are need-
ed from Congress, the States, providers, and pa-
tients to achieve the goals of Healthy People 2010, 
implement a national public health strategy con-
sistent with the National Arthritis Action Plan, and 
lessen the burden of arthritis on citizens of the 
United States. 
SEC. 3. ENHANCING THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIVITIES RE-
LATED TO ARTHRITIS OF THE CENTERS FOR 
DISEASE 
CONTROL 
AND 
PREVENTION 
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 sec-
tion 314 the following: 
‘‘SEC. 315. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL ARTHRITIS 
ACTION PLAN. 
‘‘The Secretary shall develop and implement a Na-
tional Arthritis Action Plan that consists of— 
‘‘(1) the Federal arthritis prevention and con-
trol activities, as described in section 315A;
‘‘(2) the State arthritis control and prevention 
programs, as described in section 315B; 
‘‘(3) the comprehensive arthritis action grant 
program, as described in section 315C; and 
‘‘(4) a national arthritis education and outreach 
program, as described in section 315D. 
‘‘SEC. 315A. FEDERAL ARTHRITIS PREVENTION AND CON-
TROL ACTIVITIES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through 
the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Pre-
vention, shall, directly, or through a grant to an eligible 
entity, 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. 
‘‘(b) DUTIES OF SECRETARY.—The activities of the 
Secretary under subsection (a) shall include— 
‘‘(1) the collection, publication, and analysis of 
data on the prevalence and incidence of arthritis and 
other rheumatic diseases; 
‘‘(2) the development of uniform data sets for 
public health surveillance and clinical quality im-
provement activities; 
‘‘(3) the identification of evidence-based and 
cost-effective best practices for the prevention, diag-
nosis, management, and care of arthritis and other 
rheumatic diseases; 
‘‘(4) research, including research on behavioral 
interventions to prevent arthritis and on other evi-
dence-based best practices relating to arthritis pre-
vention, diagnosis, management, and care; and 
‘‘(5) demonstration projects, including commu-
nity-based and patient self-management programs of 
arthritis control, prevention, and care, and similar 
collaborations with academic institutions, hospitals, 
health insurers, researchers, health professionals, 
and nonprofit organizations. 
‘‘(c) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—With 
respect to the planning, development, and operation of any 
activity carried out under subsection (a), the Secretary 
may provide training, technical assistance, supplies, equip-
ment, or services, and may assign any officer or employee 
of the Department of Health and Human Services to a 
State or local health agency, or to any public or nonprofit 
entity designated by a State health agency, in lieu of pro-
viding grant funds under this section. 
‘‘(d) ARTHRITIS PREVENTION RESEARCH AT THE 
CENTERS
FOR DISEASE CONTROL
AND PREVENTION 
CENTERS.—The Secretary shall provide additional grant 
support for research projects at the Centers for Prevention
Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion to encourage the expansion of research portfolios at 
the Centers for Prevention Research to include arthritis- 
specific research activities related to the prevention and 
management of arthritis. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 
2005 through 2009. 
‘‘SEC. 315B. STATE ARTHRITIS CONTROL AND PREVENTION 
PROGRAMS. 
‘‘(a) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award 
grants to eligible entities to provide support for com-
prehensive arthritis control and prevention programs and 
to enable such entities to provide public health surveil-
lance, prevention, and control activities related to arthritis 
and other rheumatic diseases. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, an entity shall be a State or Indian 
tribe. 
‘‘(c) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, an entity shall submit to the Secretary 
an application at such time, in such manner, and con-
taining such agreements, assurances, and information as
the Secretary may require, including a comprehensive ar-
thritis control and prevention plan that— 
‘‘(1) is developed with the advice of stake-
holders from the public, private, and nonprofit sec-
tors that have expertise relating to arthritis control, 
prevention, and treatment that increase the quality 
of life and decrease the level of disability; 
‘‘(2) is intended to reduce the morbidity of ar-
thritis, with priority on preventing and controlling 
arthritis in at-risk populations and reducing dispari-
ties in arthritis prevention, diagnosis, management, 
and quality of care in underserved populations; 
‘‘(3) describes the arthritis-related services and 
activities to be undertaken or supported by the enti-
ty; and 
‘‘(4) is developed in a manner that is consistent 
with the National Arthritis Action Plan or a subse-
quent strategic plan designated by the Secretary. 
‘‘(d) USE OF FUNDS.—An eligible entity shall use 
amounts received under a grant awarded under subsection 
(a) to conduct, in a manner consistent with the com-
prehensive arthritis control and prevention plan submitted 
by the entity in the application under subsection (c)— 
‘‘(1) public health surveillance and epidemiolog-
ical activities relating to the prevalence of arthritis
and assessment of disparities in arthritis prevention, 
diagnosis, management, and care; 
‘‘(2) public information and education pro-
grams; and 
‘‘(3) education, training, and clinical skills im-
provement activities for health professionals, includ-
ing allied health personnel. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 
2005 through 2009. 
‘‘SEC. 315C. COMPREHENSIVE ARTHRITIS ACTION GRANTS. 
‘‘(a) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award 
grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities to enable 
such eligible entities to assist in the implementation of a 
national strategy for arthritis control and prevention. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, an entity shall be a national public or 
private nonprofit entity. 
‘‘(c) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, an entity shall submit to the Secretary 
an application at such time, in such manner, and con-
taining such agreements, assurances, and information as 
the Secretary may require, including a description of how
funds received under a grant awarded under this section 
will— 
‘‘(1) supplement or fulfill unmet needs identi-
fied in the comprehensive arthritis control and pre-
vention plan of a State or Indian tribe; 
‘‘(2) otherwise help achieve the goals of the Na-
tional Arthritis Action Plan or a subsequent stra-
tegic plan designated by the Secretary. 
‘‘(d) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this sec-
tion, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities 
submitting applications proposing to carry out programs 
for controlling and preventing arthritis in at-risk popu-
lations or reducing disparities in underserved populations. 
‘‘(e) USE OF FUNDS.—An eligible entity shall use 
amounts received under a grant awarded under subsection 
(a) for 1 or more of the following purposes: 
‘‘(1) To expand the availability of physical ac-
tivity programs designed specifically for people with 
arthritis. 
‘‘(2) To provide awareness education to pa-
tients, family members, and health care providers, to 
help such individuals recognize the signs and symp-
toms of arthritis, and to address the control and 
prevention of arthritis.
‘‘(3) To decrease long-term consequences of ar-
thritis by making information available to individ-
uals with regard to the self-management of arthritis. 
‘‘(4) To provide information on nutrition edu-
cation programs with regard to preventing or miti-
gating the impact of arthritis. 
‘‘(f) EVALUATION.—An eligible entity that receives a 
grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an 
evaluation of the operations and activities carried out 
under such grant that includes an analysis of increased 
utilization and benefit of public health programs relevant 
to the activities described in the appropriate provisions of 
subsection (e). 
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 
2005 through 2009. 
‘‘SEC. 315D. NATIONAL ARTHRITIS EDUCATION AND OUT-
REACH. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall coordinate 
a national education and outreach program to support, de-
velop, and implement education initiatives and outreach 
strategies appropriate for arthritis and other rheumatic 
diseases.
‘‘(b) INITIATIVES AND STRATEGIES.—Initiatives and 
strategies implemented under the program described in 
paragraph (1) may include public awareness campaigns, 
public service announcements, and community partnership 
workshops, as well as programs targeted at businesses and 
employers, managed care organizations, and health care 
providers. 
‘‘(c) PRIORITY.—In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Secretary— 
‘‘(1) may emphasize prevention, early diagnosis, 
and appropriate management of arthritis, and op-
portunities for effective patient self-management; 
and 
‘‘(2) shall give priority to reaching high-risk or 
underserved populations. 
‘‘(d) COLLABORATION.—In carrying out this section, 
the Secretary shall consult and collaborate with stake- 
holders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors 
with expertise relating to arthritis control, prevention, and 
treatment. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 
2005 through 2009.’’.
SEC. 4. EXPANSION AND COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES OF 
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH WITH 
RESPECT TO RESEARCH ON ARTHRITIS. 
Title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
281 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 439 the 
following: 
‘‘SEC. 439A. ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATIC DISEASES INTER-
AGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish an Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases Inter-
agency Coordinating Committee (referred to in this 
section as the ‘Coordinating Committee’). 
‘‘(2) DUTIES.—The coordinating committee es-
tablished under paragraph (1) shall— 
‘‘(A) provide for the improved coordination 
of the research activities of all the national re-
search institutes relating to arthritis and rheu-
matic diseases; and 
‘‘(B) provide for full and regular commu-
nication and exchange of information necessary 
to maintain adequate coordination across all 
Federal health programs and activities related 
to arthritis and rheumatic diseases. 
‘‘(b) ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATIC DISEASES INTER-
AGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE.—
‘‘(1) COMPOSITION.—The Coordinating Com-
mittee shall consist of members, appointed by the 
Secretary, of which— 
‘‘(A) 2⁄3 of such members shall represent 
governmental agencies, including— 
‘‘(i) the directors of each of the na-
tional research institutes and divisions in-
volved in research regarding arthritis and 
rheumatic diseases (or the directors’ re-
spective designees); and 
‘‘(ii) representatives of other Federal 
departments and agencies (as determined 
appropriate by the Secretary) whose pro-
grams involve health functions or respon-
sibilities relevant to arthritis and rheu-
matic diseases, including the Centers for 
Disease 
Control 
and 
Prevention, 
the 
Health Resources and Services Administra-
tion, and the Food and Drug Administra-
tion; and 
‘‘(B) 1⁄3 of such members shall be public 
members, including a broad cross section of 
persons affected by arthritis, researchers, clini-
cians, and representatives of voluntary health 
agencies, who—
‘‘(i) shall serve for a term of 3 years; 
and 
‘‘(ii) may serve for an unlimited num-
ber of terms if reappointed. 
‘‘(2) CHAIRPERSON.— 
‘‘(A) APPOINTMENT.—The Chairperson of 
the Coordinating Committee (referred to in this 
subsection as the ‘Chairperson’) shall be ap-
pointed by and be directly responsible to the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(B) DUTIES.—The Chairperson shall— 
‘‘(i) serve as the principal advisor to 
the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary for 
Health, and the Director of NIH on mat-
ters relating to arthritis and rheumatic dis-
eases; and 
‘‘(ii) provide advice to the Director of 
the Centers for Disease Control and Pre-
vention, the Commissioner of Food and 
Drugs, and the heads of other relevant 
Federal agencies, on matters relating to 
arthritis and rheumatic diseases. 
‘‘(3) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT; MEETINGS.— 
‘‘(A) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
SUPPORT.—The 
Secretary shall provide necessary and appro-
priate administrative support to the Coordi-
nating Committee. 
‘‘(B) MEETINGS.—The Coordinating Com-
mittee shall meet on a regular basis as deter-
mined by the Secretary, in consultation with the 
Chairperson. 
‘‘(c) ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATIC DISEASES SUM-
MIT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of the Arthritis Prevention, 
Control, and Cure Act of 2004, the Coordinating 
Committee shall convene a summit of researchers, 
public health professionals, representatives of vol-
untary health agencies, representatives of academic 
institutions, and Federal and State policymakers, to 
provide a detailed overview of current research ac-
tivities at the National Institutes of Health, as well 
as to discuss and solicit input related to potential 
areas of collaboration between the National Insti-
tutes of Health and other Federal health agencies, 
including the Centers for Disease Control and Pre-
vention, the Agency for Healthcare Research and 
Quality, and the Health Resources and Services Ad-
ministration, related to research, prevention, and 
treatment of arthritis and rheumatic diseases.
‘‘(2) SUMMIT DETAILS.—The summit developed 
under paragraph (1) shall focus on— 
‘‘(A) a broad range of research activities 
relating to biomedical, epidemiological, psycho-
social, and rehabilitative issues, including stud-
ies of the impact of the diseases described in 
paragraph (1) in rural and underserved commu-
nities; 
‘‘(B) clinical research for the development 
and evaluation of new treatments, including 
new biological agents; 
‘‘(C) translational research on evidence- 
based and cost-effective best practices in the 
treatment, prevention, and management of the 
disease; 
‘‘(D) information and education programs 
for health care professionals and the public; 
‘‘(E) priorities among the programs and 
activities of the various Federal agencies re-
garding such diseases; and 
‘‘(F) challenges and opportunities for sci-
entists, clinicians, patients, and voluntary orga-
nizations. 
‘‘(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 
days after the convening of the Arthritis and Rheumatic