Video: Knock on Wood| Webinar: ACR/CHEST ILD Guidelines in Practice
fa-facebookfa-linkedinfa-youtube-playfa-rss

An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

  • Conditions
    • Axial Spondyloarthritis
    • Gout and Crystalline Arthritis
    • Myositis
    • Osteoarthritis and Bone Disorders
    • Pain Syndromes
    • Pediatric Conditions
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Sjögren’s Disease
    • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
    • Systemic Sclerosis
    • Vasculitis
    • Other Rheumatic Conditions
  • FocusRheum
    • ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
    • Axial Spondyloarthritis
    • Gout
    • Lupus Nephritis
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  • Guidance
    • Clinical Criteria/Guidelines
    • Ethics
    • Legal Updates
    • Legislation & Advocacy
    • Meeting Reports
      • ACR Convergence
      • Other ACR meetings
      • EULAR/Other
    • Research Rheum
  • Drug Updates
    • Analgesics
    • Biologics/DMARDs
  • Practice Support
    • Billing/Coding
    • EMRs
    • Facility
    • Insurance
    • QA/QI
    • Technology
    • Workforce
  • Opinion
    • Patient Perspective
    • Profiles
    • Rheuminations
      • Video
    • Speak Out Rheum
  • Career
    • ACR ExamRheum
    • Awards
    • Career Development
  • ACR
    • ACR Home
    • ACR Convergence
    • ACR Guidelines
    • Journals
      • ACR Open Rheumatology
      • Arthritis & Rheumatology
      • Arthritis Care & Research
    • From the College
    • Events/CME
    • President’s Perspective
  • Search

ACR Hosts Arthritis 101 Briefing on Capitol Hill

From the College  |  February 3, 2017

Dr. Worthing went on to describe the economic toll of these diseases, noting that the CDC estimates rheumatic diseases contribute $128 billion in health costs annually, including $80 billion in annual medical expenditures and $47 billion from indirect costs, such as lost earnings.

“On a more personal level, many of our patients—even those with decent health insurance—have a very difficult time getting affordable care and treatments,” Dr. Worthing said.

ad goes here:advert-1
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE

“Expensive copays for specialty therapies and frustrating insurance requirements make it hard for many arthritis patients to access timely and effective healthcare. We’re also facing a growing workforce shortage in the rheumatology specialty as many practicing rheumatologists are approaching retirement age and there aren’t enough new doctors completing fellowships in rheumatology to meet the steadily increasing number of arthritis patients in the U.S.,” he said.

“But there is good news,” continued Dr. Worthing. “Early intervention by a trained rheumatologist can greatly improve our patients’ quality of life and significantly reduce long-term costs by helping patients effectively manage pain, slow disease progression and avoid long-term disability.”

ad goes here:advert-2
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE

“We also have remarkable drugs at our disposal, called biologic therapies. Just a few decades ago, these drugs would have seemed like science fiction. With access to care and treatments like these, many people living with arthritis can lead full and productive lives.”

“But we cannot do it alone,” Dr. Worthing concluded. “We need policies that support a thriving rheumatology workforce, help our patients access the care and treatments they need and that, ultimately, help reduce long-term health costs.”

Impact on the Military
Dr. Edgerton spoke next, discussing the need for a standalone arthritis medical research program within the Department of Defense.

“Arthritis is the leading disease-related cause of discharge from the U.S. Army—second only to injury—and it is a huge cost to the Department of Defense, with very little research looking at ways to prevent it,” Dr. Edgerton began.

Many soldiers are “operating at the level of professional athletes,” Dr. Edgerton explained, which means these service members are especially prone to high-impact injuries that can lead to arthritis. “Imagine carrying more than 100 lbs. of weapons and gear and then jumping into a ditch,” he said. “Maybe something doesn’t feel right, but you grin and bear it and press on. Fifteen to 20 years down the road, you’re looking at a knee replacement at the age of 40.”

Dr. Edgerton stressed that research and prevention efforts within the military system are key to avoid the costly and life-changing injuries that often lead to post-traumatic arthritis. He described the success of a DoD-funded injury prevention lab at Fort Campbell, on the Kentucky-Tennessee border, which integrated physical therapy into basic training programs to give soldiers tools to prevent injury. “That program was highly effective, because there was buy-in from within,” Dr. Edgerton explained.

Page: 1 2 3 | Single Page
Share: 

Filed under:From the CollegeLegislation & Advocacy

Related Articles

    ACR & NPF Highlight Medicare Access Challenges in Capitol Hill Briefing

    July 5, 2018

    Concerns about how the Trump administration’s ideas to lower drug prices could reduce patient access to medicines led the ACR to speak out on many different fronts. On June 25, at a briefing hosted by the ACR and the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), a packed room of Congressional staffers and reporters learned from rheumatologists and…

    Value-Based Care Continues to Evolve in Rheumatology

    April 24, 2023

    Value-based care in rheumatology continues to evolve, and rheumatologists can stay active with advocacy efforts behind value-based care and other government relations initiatives.

    ACR in Action: A Look at ACR Activities That Support Your Practice

    February 1, 2018

    Rheumatologists working in every practice setting face a number of challenges that can seem insurmountable. How do you cost-effectively manage administrative burdens? How do you establish an efficient and effective approach to capturing quality metrics? How do you maintain the critical elements of the care you provide, such as diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound and patient access…

    Arthritis Advocacy Spotlights the Military: Veterans, including a rheumatologist, educate lawmakers about arthritis’ impact & the need for research funding

    February 22, 2019

    On Feb. 13, the ACR co-sponsored Arthritis 101, its biennial arthritis advocacy lunch briefing at the U.S. Capitol, highlighting the disproportionate impact of rheumatic disease on active members of the armed forces and veterans. The event, co-sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation (AF), is part of the ACR’s effort to support inclusion of $20 million in…

  • About Us
  • Meet the Editors
  • Issue Archives
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
fa-facebookfa-linkedinfa-youtube-playfa-rss
  • Copyright © 2025 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved, including rights for text and data mining and training of artificial technologies or similar technologies. ISSN 1931-3268 (print). ISSN 1931-3209 (online).
  • DEI Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Preferences