Women In Government strives to have more women state legislators make RA issues a top priority during this legislative session.

Representative Kelly Skidmore (D-FL)

Representative Kelly Skidmore is a long-time advocate for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and other arthritic conditions. Elected to the Florida State Legislature in 2006, Rep. Skidmore has continued her advocacy for individuals with RA. Recently, Florida became one of 12 states selected to receive Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funding for RA and arthritis. These funds will be used to provide programs and services to Floridians with arthritis.

Legislative Activity:

Representative Skidmore recently contributed to the formulation of H.B. 1471 (2009), entitled the Healthy Fit and Florida Act, at the request of the Florida Department of Health. A key component of this bill was the establishment of state and local-level programs for chronic disease prevention and health promotion, to include arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. These programs would monitor risk factors for chronic diseases, implement surveillance activities and increase public awareness and knowledge regarding the early detection and diagnosis of chronic conditions and appropriate evidence-based prevention, treatment and management strategies. Unfortunately, H.B. 1471 was not enacted this session.

Another key initiative, the Arthritis Prevention and Education Act (2005), created an arthritis prevention and education program, including an advisory panel on arthritis and a public awareness effort. One of the key aims of this bill was to increase public and provider knowledge of the causes of arthritis, the importance of early diagnosis, appropriate management and effective prevention strategies. Additionally, the program was charged with establishing the scientific knowledgebase concerning the prevention of arthritis and related disabilities thru surveillance, epidemiology and prevention research. Further, the program was to evaluate the need for improving quality and accessibility of community-based arthritis services.

Key Legislative Priorities:

Representative Skidmore expressed that raising awareness regarding RA and other forms of arthritis is crucial. She emphasizes, "RA is still such a misunderstood and misdiagnosed condition, that it is important to keep talking about it at every chance." Representative Skidmore made sure she took every opportunity as H.B. 1471 made its way through the committee process to inform and educate her fellow legislators about RA and other arthritic conditions.

The affordability and availability of prescription medications for people with RA is critical, according to Representative Skidmore. Many insurance companies would like to be able to restrict or cap medications or specific dosages. Representative Skidmore believes strongly in the physician/patient relationship and thinks that healthcare decisions should not be made based on insurance dictates.

Of further concern to Representative Skidmore are policy changes that appear innocent, yet could have potential negative ramifications for RA patients. In addition to being reactive, she would like the state to be more proactive in safeguarding access to appropriate care.

Recommendations to Legislators:

Representative Skidmore suggests that legislators seek out other policymakers who have been personally affected by RA, either personally or through a family member and gain the support of people with expertise on the issue. “It is important to try to express the physical (joint damage and deformity), the psychological (chronic pain) and financial challenges facing an RA patient and her family”, Representative Skidmore stated, “statistics are great, but when you can personalize the issue, more people respond favorably.”