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

February 2004
Volume 5, No. 1

A Special Interview With Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND)
“A Leader In The Fight Against Arthritis”

Senator Kent Conrad is the ranking member of the Budget Committee and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee. As the representative of one of the most rural states in the nation, Conrad also serves as a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.  In 1980, Senator Conrad won his first statewide race for North Dakota Tax Commissioner. His 1986 Senate victory was among the biggest upsets in state history.

This past year, Senator Conrad led the fight to extend Medicare coverage of self-injected biological therapies for persons with rheumatoid arthritis.  Thanks to his steadfast leadership and deep commitment to people with arthritis, we are one step closer to realizing our goal of coverage of these important therapies.

The Arthritis Foundation recently met with him, and we share this exclusive interview with you. 

Arthritis Agenda: Almost every member of Congress is identified as an advocate for a particular disease, why did you decide to help improve the lives of persons with arthritis? 

Senator Conrad: I became involved in helping those with arthritis – and those with other diseases that could benefit from access to self-injected medications – because I strongly believe people suffering from these illnesses should have access to the best medical care available today.  There are far too many cases, especially in the Medicare program, in which arthritis patients are denied access to the latest medications and therapies.  And that simply isn’t right. We must do everything we can to ease the suffering of the more than 70 million people in America living with this debilitating disease. 

AA: You led the fight to provide Medicare coverage for self-injected therapies for persons with rheumatoid arthritis in the United States Senate.  What challenges did you face in winning support for this provision?

SC: During the Medicare debate, there were many competing priorities in terms of how limited federal dollars should be spent. There were also challenges related to ensuring our legislation provided equitable and affordable coverage to all beneficiaries who suffer from chronic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Hepatitis C and a host of other conditions.  Although the debate was heated at times, we prevailed in bringing together a strong bipartisan group of Members of Congress to support this important effort. 

AA: Now that Congress has passed the bill, please tell us what challenges we face in ensuring maximum coverage for persons with rheumatoid arthritis?   

SC: The biggest challenge will be ensuring that all seniors are treated fairly.  As the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implements the new policy, it must do so in a way that provides as many Medicare beneficiaries as possible access to additional health benefits.  Unfortunately, the final version of the bill included limitations on the number of eligible beneficiaries and on spending for new benefits.  I vigorously opposed these caps, but now that they’re in place, we must ensure that seniors are treated fairly as CMS works to determine how to implement this provision. 

AA: Do you plan to seek expansion of coverage beyond the 50,000-person cap and $500,000 coverage limit contained in the Medicare bill?   

SC: I am currently drafting legislation that would fix many flaws in the Medicare bill. As part of this effort, I intend to introduce a measure that lifts the beneficiary and spending caps that are currently standing in the way of all Medicare patients having access to immediate coverage of self-injectable medications.  It is my hope that my Senate colleagues will join me in supporting this effort. 

AA: What can people with arthritis and those who care for them do to support your efforts in Congress?   

SC: One of the most important things that individuals living with arthritis can do is to continue to tell their story.  Working with others that care about this issue, at both the state and national level, they must send a message to Congress and the Department of Health and Human Services.  They must tell them to implement the Medicare provision fairly and to go even further to expand access to various treatment options.  Working together, we can build on our successes in the Medicare bill and improve the lives of all Medicare beneficiaries who suffer from arthritis.