BILL REQ. #:  H-0271.1 

Read first time 01/17/2003.   Referred to Committee on Health Care.

     AN ACT Relating to establishing a pilot project to prevent and reduce disability associated with arthritis; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that:
     (a) Arthritis encompasses more than one hundred diseases and conditions that affect joints, the surrounding tissues, and other connective tissues;
     (b) Arthritis affects more than eight hundred thousand people in Washington state;
     (c) Compounding this picture are the enormous costs associated with treating arthritis and its complications, which account for a total of forty-nine thousand one hundred thirty-one hospital days and direct charges of two hundred one million dollars in Washington state;
     (d) Arthritis is the leading cause of disability nationwide, significantly impacting the quality of life not only for the individual who experiences its painful symptoms and resulting disability, but also for family members and caregivers; and
     (e) Although prevailing myths inaccurately portray arthritis as a disease that affects primarily seniors, arthritis affects people of all ages and has become one of the country's most pressing public health problems.
     (2) The purposes of this chapter are:
     (a) To create and foster a statewide pilot project that promotes public awareness and increases knowledge about the causes of arthritis, the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate management, effective prevention strategies, and pain prevention and management;
     (b) To develop knowledge and enhance understanding of arthritis by disseminating underutilized but available educational materials and resources, information on research results, programs and services provided, and strategies for prevention and control to patients, health professionals, and the public;
     (c) To implement and coordinate state and local pilot projects and services to reduce the public health burden of arthritis; and
     (d) To provide lasting improvements in the delivery of health care for individuals with arthritis and their families, thus improving their quality of life while also containing health care costs.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The department of health shall contract with the arthritis foundation Washington/Alaska chapter to establish a two-year pilot project that would help reduce and prevent disability associated with arthritis by consolidating and disseminating underutilized educational materials and resources to raise public awareness, educate consumers, educate and train health professionals, teachers, and human services providers, and for other purposes.
     (2) The department of health shall include in this contract a needs assessment to identify:
     (a) Epidemiological and other public health research being conducted within the state;
     (b) Available technical assistance and educational materials and pilot projects nationwide and within the state;
     (c) The services available to a person with arthritis;
     (d) The existence of arthritis treatment, self-management, physical activity, and other education pilot projects; and
     (e) The existence of rehabilitation services.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The secretary of health shall provide sufficient staff to assist the arthritis foundation Washington/Alaska chapter in the implementation of the pilot project created in section 2 of this act to prevent and reduce disability associated with arthritis.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   (1) The contract with the arthritis foundation Washington/Alaska chapter must include a voluntary advisory panel on arthritis that will provide nongovernmental input regarding the arthritis prevention and control pilot project created in section 2 of this act. Membership includes, but is not limited to, persons with arthritis, public health educators, medical experts on arthritis, providers of arthritis health care, persons knowledgeable in health promotion and education, and representatives of the arthritis foundation.
     (2) The advisory panel shall use, but is not limited to, strategies consistent with the national arthritis action plan and existing resources to raise public awareness and knowledge on the causes and nature of arthritis, personal risk factors, the value of prevention and early detection, ways to minimize preventable pain, and options for diagnosing and treating the disease.
     (3) The advisory panel shall report findings from their work to the legislature.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   The secretary of health shall accept grants, services, and property from the federal government, foundations, organizations, medical schools, and other entities as are available for the purposes of fulfilling the obligations of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   The secretary of health shall seek any federal waiver or waivers that are necessary to maximize funds from the federal government to implement this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   This act may be known and cited as the pilot project to prevent and reduce disability associated with arthritis.