Although the problem of the uninsured in America is a complex one, and one in which there are many competing public policy solutions to choose from, one thing has been clear to the Arthritis Foundation.  The lack of effective health care coverage is one of the most important issues facing our nation and specifically people living with arthritis.  As one of the founding Supporters of the coalition, Cover the Uninsured, the Arthritis Foundation has joined forces with other organizations to inform policy makers that the status quo is unacceptable.  This year, the Coalition has focused on the pressing need to get America's children covered through the expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

On September 6, 2007, Jack Klippel, MD, Arthritis Foundation President and CEO, joined 47 other voluntary health agencies in alerting all Presidential candidates about the need to address with specific policy proposals the basic health care needs of the more than 50 million Americans without health coverage, especially those with chronic diseases such as arthritis.  We will continue to monitor and evaluate this sensitive issue.  The Arthritis Foundation is committed to working with partners here in Washington DC and throughout the nation to advocate for a workable solution to guarantee effective and affordable health care coverage for all Americans.