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Legislation and Congressional Activities

September 21, 2007

Important Events in NIAMS History

November 20, 1985 - The Health Research Extension Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-158) authorized the establishment of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

April 8, 1986 - NIAMS was established.

February 18, 1987 - The first meeting of the National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Advisory Council was held.

April 15, 1996 - NIAMS held a 10th anniversary symposium: "Progress and Promise in Chronic Disease."

NIAMS Legislative Chronology

August 1950 - An arthritis program was established within the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases under P.L. 81-692.

May 1972 - The Institute was renamed the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism and Digestive Diseases, P.L. 92-305.

1973 - Senator Alan Cranston introduced legislation that would eventually lead to the National Arthritis Act. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Congressman Paul Rogers.

January 1975 - The National Arthritis Act (P.L. 93-640) established the National Commission on Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases to study the problem of arthritis in depth and to develop an arthritis plan. The act also established the position of associate director for arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases and authorized an interagency arthritis coordinating committee, community demonstration project grants, an arthritis data bank, an information clearinghouse, and comprehensive centers for research, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and education.

April 1976 - After a year of study and public hearings, the commission issued a comprehensive plan aimed at diminishing the physical, economic, and psychosocial effects of arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases. It laid the groundwork for a national program encompassing research, research training, education, and patient care.

October 1976 - P.L. 94-562, the Arthritis, Diabetes, and Digestive Diseases Amendments of 1976, established the National Arthritis Advisory Board to review and evaluate the implementation of the Arthritis Plan, prepared in response to the National Arthritis Act (P.L. 93-640).

December 1980 - P.L. 96-538 changed the name of the Institute to the National Institute of Arthritis, Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

1982 - The Department conferred bureau status on the Institute, resulting in creation of the Division of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal, and Skin Diseases and the appointment of a division director.

November 1985 - The Health Research Extension Act of 1985, P.L. 99-158, established the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases to bring increased emphasis to research on these disorders. The legislation provided for the development of a plan for a national arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases program, and establishment of two interagency coordinating committees, one on arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases and one on skin diseases. It also expanded the activities of the National Arthritis Advisory Board to include musculoskeletal and skin diseases.

September 1993 - The NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-43) called on NIAMS to establish "an information clearinghouse on osteoporosis and related bone disorders to facilitate and enhance knowledge and understanding on the part of health professionals, patients, and the public through the effective dissemination of information."

October 2000 - The Children's Health Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-310) called on NIAMS to expand and intensify research programs on juvenile arthritis and related conditions, in coordination with other NIH Institutes and the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases Interagency Coordinating Committee. Further language stipulated that the Institute's current information clearinghouse include resources on juvenile arthritis and associated conditions.

November 2000 - The Lupus Research and Care Amendments of 2000, which passed as part of the Public Health Improvement Act (P.L. 106-505), required NIAMS to expand and intensify research and related activities regarding lupus, and to coordinate such efforts with other NIH Institutes, as appropriate. Among other provisions, the bill called for information and education programs for health professionals and the public.

December 2001 - The Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research and Education Amendments of 2001, or the MD-CARE Act (P.L. 107-84), called on several components of NIH, including NIAMS, to enhance research on muscular dystrophy, including establishing Centers of Excellence.

February 2003 - The Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), was called on to establish a Federal working group on lupus for the purpose of exchanging information and coordinating Federal efforts regarding lupus research and education initiatives (P.L. 108-7, Omnibus Appropriations Act for FY 2003). The NIAMS, as the lead institute at the NIH for lupus research, was asked to lead this Federal working group. The group is comprised of representatives from all relevant DHHS agencies and other Federal departments having an interest in lupus.