The State of Arthritis: Why PA Arthritis Programs Need Funding! – Ashley Boynes, Community Development Director, WPA Chapter

Sometimes, there just isn’t enough money to go around.  

We at the Western PA Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation understand the challenging feat ahead of the legislators as they try to reconcile a $3.3 billion dollar deficit and put together an acceptable state budget. It can be no easy task, especially since times are hard and things are tough for everybody. To appropriate money when there isn’t much to work with cannot be easy, especially when trying to keep the well-being of the state in mind. 

At times like these, despite the immense pressure, it is crucial to prioritize. Pennsylvania is the 5^th most arthritis-riddled state in the nation, with 1-in-3 (that’s over 3 million!) people having some form of arthritis; approximately 11,500 being children. These statistics would show that arthritis education and services should clearly be a priority in the state budget. 

However, it is unfortunate that, at present, the Arthritis Foundation in Pennsylvania has been allotted no funding in the new state budget. That’s zero dollars, folks. As disappointing as it is, one-hundred programs have been cut, and, sadly, we are one of them. 

Surely, there are questions on every area of the budget – which is to be expected, as there’s no pleasing everyone. Luckily, there are some supporters of arthritis education and outreach, and we hope that these people will assist in giving us a voice. However, a budget has yet to be passed, and the process continues. Budget meetings and negotiations have been going on endlessly, but, to no avail. We plead with you all to help remind the lawmakers to keep us in mind for the 2009-2010 budget. While we’re sensitive to the situation at hand, there’s no denying that we, along with many PA residents, could be facing an excess of problems and setbacks if we are overlooked in the 2009-2010 budget. 

Everyone needs to do their job. We know that the General Assembly is just trying to do theirs the best they can; but, we need the funding in order to do ours the best we can. The state representatives and senators need to know that people are calling the Arthritis Foundation left and right for information, insight, and help….and that we now have to charge for postage and shipping on the literature and other information that we send. Why? Because, regretfully, even though we are a public health agency that should be getting some aid from the state, we are struggling to be able to afford to get the information out there. Funding has been dwindling and is now wiped out for us, completely. Will we have to start charging for not only shipping, but also for the information itself? We used to pride ourselves on being able to provide goods and services to the public free of charge, but we’re now adding an extra burden onto the people by asking them to pay for the information that they so need to improve the quality of their lives. 

We are conscious that these types of decisions take a lot of strategizing, contemplation, and careful consideration, and that the state is already spread thin. We are also grateful for the money allotted to our cause within the past years. That being said, the truth of the matter is that people are still hurting. People that we deal with are hurting physically and, sometimes, financially, as well. We don’t want the Arthritis Foundation to be hurting, too, when we are the beacon of hope that is provided to the newly diagnosed or to people who do not otherwise have easy access to the programs and information that they need in order to cope with their illnesses. 

Just like schools need funding to stay afloat, we need funding for education, too – patient education. Additionally, we need funding to contribute towards research, advocacy, awareness, and the literature that we provide to the newly diagnosed and long-time sufferers. We need funding so that we can help spread the word, find a cure…and even to pay for postage. 

We all have to make adjustments to make ends meet. It would be a blessing if adjustments were made to the budget to allow for arthritis funding; thus benefiting the health and well-being of the society as a whole. 

If you are unfamiliar as to just how our services benefit the residents of Pennsylvania, wonder no more. We provide exercise programs and education, as well as self-help programs to those who suffer from arthritis and related diseases. If the funding is cut, we almost certainly will not be able to provide these services to the people in need. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Since so many Pennsylvanians suffer from it, it is important to have programs in place to assist them in helping to cope with their illness, overcome obstacles, prolong their health, and live their everyday lives. Additionally, knowledge and education – - as well as implementation of self-help and exercise programs – can be key factors in significantly delaying the onset of, or fully preventing, arthritis. The people that we deal with every day are greatly dependent upon the information, advice, and assistance that these programs can provide. 

All it would take is a modest allotment to provide our most basic services. Naturally, we know that times have changed and that times are hard, and we cannot compare our current economic situation to years past. Thankfully, we do have the blessing of loyal volunteers, but there are some things that just don’t come for free. We want to be able to provide everyone in need equal access to programs and information, just as we always have. We do not want to have to force people to pay for information that they need to improve their lives. 

If you, your child, parent, friend, or spouse suffer from arthritis, then you know the importance of the Arthritis Foundation and all that we do here. The wheels of negotiation have been set into motion. Please contact your local Senators and Representatives to encourage them to keep arthritis funding in mind, considering all that the Arthritis Foundation can achieve if given the opportunity to do so. Programs like ours can make a world of difference in the lives of many. There’s little money to go around in these trying times, but there’s a great deal to be gained by even the smallest amount. 

Please call, email or write a letter to your State Senator or Representative and, in your own words, ask them to support state funding for arthritis education and services. Tell them why we need it, and how it affects your life, and the lives of others. Remind them of how prevalent a condition it is in the area, and that it is a chronic and progressive disease that is very dominant in our home state. We need their vote of support for maintaining the arthritis line item in the state budget. We know times are tough, and we know things are tight. We appreciate and respect that fact, and we understand.  But, if anything, we can always hope. So thank you, in advance, for your support in this matter. 

Keep reading, and keep  hoping! Your voice CAN be heard, and won’t go unnoticed!

“Let’s Move Together….” With over 3,000,000 Pennsylvanians and over 40 million Americans who are diagnosed with arthritis, our voices can be loud and clear! So please, do your part, and please spread the word! Do not let our precious funding be cut.

We cannot go unnoticed — from ages 2 to 92, there are far too many people of all ages and situations who are dependent upon us and the services that we offer. Please remind your legislators not to let us fall to the wayside when considering the 2009-2010 budget.

 

- Ashley Boynes

Community Development Director

Western Pennsylvania Chapter

Explore posts in the same categories: Arthritis Advocacy, Arthritis Awareness, Arthritis Foundation Programs, Arthritis Stories, JRA, Juvenile Arthritis, Uncategorized

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