Miranda Jackson and Amy Barron blogged throughout the Advocacy Summit. You can see their posts by clicking here. Miranda was born with Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy and was diagnosed with Polyarticular Arthritis at age 6 and was a 2011 Arthritis Walk Honoree. Amy was the 2008 National Walk Honoree and serves on a variety of committees for the Arthritis Foundation, Ohio River Valley.
End Discrimination Against Arthritis
U.S. Representative David McKinley (R-WV) has introduced legislation known as The Patient Access to Treatments Act (specialty tier federal bill) to end this discrimination by requiring insurers to impose the same co-pay obligations for Tier IV/specialty drugs, such as biologics, as they do for Tier III medications. This bill number is H.R. 4209.
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Congressman McKinley’s bipartisan original cosponsors are: Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA), Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), and Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-FL).”
Click here to learn how you can take action.
Possible Change Coming in WV JRA Health Care
Currently, there are no juvenile rheumatologists in WV. Last week, the President released his 2013 budget and, because he considered this a priority, included $5 million dollars for a pediatric subspecialty loan repayment program based on our advocacy efforts! The pediatric subspecialty loan repayment program (up to $35,000 a year for 3 years) incentivizes training and practice in pediatric medical subspecialties, including pediatric rheumatology, in underserved areas across the United States. Click here to learn more.
The Juvenile Arthritis Conference is the Arthritis Foundation's signature, nationwide event for families affected by juvenile arthritis. Join us for this three-day education event that focuses on health, wellness and fun for children affected by arthritis, lupus, myositis, ankylosing spondylitis and other rheumatic diseases. The whole family is invited! Specific educational tracks focus on issues relating to parents, teens/young adults, children affected by arthritis and their siblings. Click here for more information.
Juvenile Arthritis Conference- July 19-22-Marriot Saint Louis Union Station
