Originally Published in Value Based Care Rheumatology
Washington, DC – In late January 2017, experts congregated on Capitol Hill on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Arthritis Foundation to hold a congressional briefing titled Arthritis 101, according to a press statement by the ACR. The purpose of the briefing was to inform new and returning leaders in Congress about arthritis and the impact the disease has on Americans and the US healthcare system.
Arthritis is the primary cause of disability in the United States, and has been diagnosed in more than 52 million Americans. Healthcare costs for this condition are approximately $128 billion annually in the United States.
“Millions of Americans living with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases face enormous obstacles when trying to access safe, effective and affordable health care. Now more than ever, we need practical solutions to expand access to care and improve the quality of life for people living with arthritis. We look forward to working with new and returning members of Congress to address some of these cost and access challenges,” said Angus B. Worthing, MD, FACP, FACR, Chair, Government Affairs Committee, ACR, Atlanta, GA, in the press release.
