Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Milestones
Advancements toward more patient-centered care and funding of arthritis research has been made through Arthritis Foundation advocacy efforts.
- 1940s
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1948On May 6, 1948, the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation was founded (later renamed the Arthritis Foundation), with a goal to attack the challenges of arthritis through a national program to fund medical research and provide better medical services for patients.
- 1950s
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1950We prompted Congress to establish the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, marking the beginning of federal government support for arthritis research. In 1986, it was renamed the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).
- 1960s
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1964We persuaded the Office of the Surgeon General to hold a special workshop on “Prevention of Disability From Arthritis,” focusing on how we could make community health services more responsive to the needs of people with arthritis.
- 1970s
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1972President Richard Nixon and Congress designated May as “Arthritis Awareness Month.”
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1975At our urging, the National Arthritis Act was passed by Congress, earmarking funds for developing arthritis care centers, medical school assistance and long-range plans to address arthritis.
- 1980s
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1980sWe further strengthened our commitment to research and secured more private and federal funds for arthritis projects through our continued telethons and other marketing efforts.
- 1990s
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1990sThe Arthritis Foundation began working with the CDC to launch an action plan through research and nationwide campaigns, including “Heroes Overcoming Arthritis,” sharing stories of people of all ages meeting the daily challenges of arthritis.
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1999The Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Department was formally established.
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1999The Arthritis Foundation hosted our first national Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., which convened patients, clinicians, researchers and federal officials from the NIH, CDC and FDA to discuss legislative and policy efforts of importance to people with arthritis. This grew into a multiday event that included Advocates meeting with Congress and a coinciding Children’s Summit.
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1999The Arthritis Foundation partnered with the CDC to launch the first nationwide public health initiative focused on arthritis as the leading cause of disability in the U.S. The Foundation successfully advocated for congressional funding to support and expand this program, including efforts to encourage states to enact model programs.
- 2000s
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2000The federal Children’s Health Act of 2000 was passed, intensifying research in juvenile arthritis and beginning to close the gap in the pediatric rheumatology shortage.
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2003The Medicine Modernization Act was passed, providing coverage for self-administered therapies and benefiting 50,000 Medicare beneficiaries with rheumatoid arthritis.
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2009Arthritis was included in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research program.
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2009A yearlong collaborative effort led by the Arthritis Foundation and the CDC — to explore the public health and socioeconomic impact of osteoarthritis — culminated in an Osteoarthritis Summit, which yielded the “National Public Health Agenda for Osteoarthritis” publication.
- 2010s
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2010sWe co-wrote model legislation on step therapy reform, which has served as the basis for bills passed in over 35 states.
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2010Louisiana was the first state to pass legislation to protect patients through step therapy reform.
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2010The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed, expanding health coverage to millions, and included the Pediatric Subspeciality Loan Repayment Plan (PSLRP).
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2012The CDC Arthritis Program began collaborating with states and national organizations to improve quality of life for adults with arthritis.
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2016We published our report, titled “A Silent Enemy: How Arthritis Is Threatening the U.S. Military,”calling for a dedicated arthritis research program at the Department of Defense.
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2017The Safe Step Act was first introduced in the House.
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2018Our Junior Ambassador Program was launched nationwide.
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2019We surpassed 100 state legislative victories since 2014.
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2019The Senate introduced a companion bill to the Safe Step Act.
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2019We introduced guidelines for the use of CBD to relieve arthritis pain — the first-ever CBD guidance from a major health organization.
- 2020s
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2020At the end of the year, the No Surprises Act became federal law, thanks in part to the Arthritis Foundation’s nearly two years of advocacy, to make sure patients don’t get surprised by unexpected medical bills.
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2021The HELP Copays Act was first introduced in the House, which would protect cost-sharing assistance for patients.
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2022The Inflation Reduction Act passed in Congress, which included a $2,000 cap in Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs with the option to spread those costs over the plan year, a top Arthritis Foundation priority.
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2022We issued a statement and recommendations for access to biosimilar medicines, in advance of the first self-administered biosimilars for arthritis coming to market in 2023.
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2023The Pediatric Subspeciality Loan Repayment Program (PSLRP) was funded for the first time.
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2024Arthritis received designated funding of $10 million within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP).
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2025Thirty-seven states and counting have passed legislation around step therapy reform.
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2025Record-breaking new attendees travel to Washington D.C. for Advocacy Summit 2025!
Advocacy Through the Years
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