Welcome to the Arthritis Agenda, an advocacy newsletter of the Arthritis Foundation.

February 2004
Volume 5, No. 1

News from the States 

Eastern Pennsylvania -- As 2003 came to a close the Pennsylvania budget was finalized which saw an increase for the arthritis allocation of more than 64% to $238,000.  The additional funding will enable the Arthritis Foundation and PA Department of Health to develop a statewide resource assessment of evidence-based programs available by county.  While the 2003 amount was short of their goal of 10 cents per person with arthritis, the Foundation is working to find additional opportunities to partner with the state.  The goal of $400,000 for arthritis programs and services has been set for the 2004 budget process. 

In 2003, Governor Rendell signed new PACE/PACENET legislation, which expanded pharmaceutical assistance to over 100,000 additional Pennsylvania seniors.  The Arthritis Foundation was successful in adding language to the PACE bill which would create a referral mechanism for arthritis and other health organization programs and services.