Promoting RDs Through Public Policy
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Transcript Promoting RDs Through Public Policy
Promoting RDs Through Public Policy
Katherine Nashatker, MS, RD, LD, CDE
Nina Crowley, MS, RD, LD
Public Policy Workshop 2012
Washington, DC
Be Aware
Know who your lawmakers
are, visit the Academy’s
Action Center
Federal Senate (6 yrs) State
Senate (4 yrs ), House (2 yrs)
Members Public
Policy Legislation OR
Take Action
Find information about
your lawmakers on their
websites, or your state
General Assembly website.
www.scstatehouse.gov
Know the political calendar and
how often each office is up for
election
SC General Assembly's annual
session begins on the 2nd
Tuesday in January and runs
through the 1st Thursday in
June
Know party platform positions on
health care issues, visit The
American Presidency Project
www.presidency.ucsb.edu/pla
tforms.php
US Senators for SC
• Jim DeMint (R)
• Lindsey Graham (R)
US Representatives for SC
• 1st District -Tim Scott (R)
• 2nd District -Joe Wilson (R)
• 3rd District- Jeff Duncan (R)
• 4th District- Trey Gowdy (R)
• 5th District- Mick Mulvaney (R)
• 6th District- James Clyburn (D)
State Senators & Representatives
46 State Senators
26 Republicans
19 Democrats
1 vacancy
124 Representatives
76 Republicans
48 Democrats
Speaker of the House –
Bobby Harrell
Look at committees
legislators are involved in –
some that have to do with
medical issues
Academy Public Policy Priority Areas
Members Public Policy Legislative and Public Policy Priority Areas
Consumer and Community Issues
Prevention and treatment of chronic disease, including health care equity
Meeting nutrition needs through the life cycle: Maternal and child nutrition to
healthy aging
Quality food and nutrition through education, production, access and
delivery
Nutrition monitoring and research
Professional Issues
Licensure: Protection of the Public
Workforce demand: Assuring the Public has access to nutrition services
delivered by qualified practitioners
Outcome driven nutrition services in changing health systems
Academy Resources
On the Pulse
A weekly report on topics that reflect the Academy’s legislative and
regulatory priorities in Washington and the states, as well as
reimbursement, science and practice-related matters
Action Alert
Action Alerts are sent to all members requesting them to contact
their state representatives in order to bring awareness on pending
legislation
www.eatright.org/advocacy for more public policy info
Older Americans Act
Reauthorization: OAA of 1965
Congregate Nutrition Services (Title III)
Home-Delivered Meal Services (Title III)
Target: >60 years, low-income and homebound
Results: 92 million meals, 1.7 million seniors served (63% rely
on home-delivered meals for half or more of their total daily
intake)
South Carolina: annual cost of meals: $1,107 compared to
annual cost of a nursing home stay: $25,000-$37,000
The Farm Bill (aka “The Food Bill”)
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
eligibility, program access, benefits levels & (SNAP-Ed)
40.3 million people in 18.6 million households
“The economic return of nutrition
education far exceeds the cost, with a return
investment of $9.58 in health care and productivity
savings for every $1 spent”
Expanding MNT for Pre-diabetes
General Population
1 in 10 people have DM, 4 out of 10 have pre-diabetes
(annual cost to healthcare: $174 billion)
Incidence in Medicare
7 out of 10 are affected by DM or pre-diabetes
For 5 out of the 10, DM may be prevented if access to diet
and exercise lifestyle interventions is provided
New bill would increase scope of MNT provided to
beneficiary with pre-diabetes, in addition to with diabetes.
Drug Shortages Affecting Patient
Care
The Drug Shortage Prevention Act
“critical drug” list, public alerts, revise FDA approval process
Preserving Access to Life-Saving Medications Act
6 month notice required of any planned interruption
Penalty: $10,000/violation not to exceed $1.8 million
Require manufactures to submit notice to FDA for:
Adjustments related to supply of raw materials
Adjustments to production capabilities
Business decisions that may affect manufacturer of the
drug
Announce
Be able to explain what you know to others
Provide clients with the facts supporting advocacy for RD services
“The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics National Coverage
Determination Formal Request,” by Prashanthi Rao Raman, Esq, MPH,
and Erica Gradwell, MS, RD, in the January 2012, volume 112, issue 1 of
the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Presents evidence from over 20 scientific studies demonstrating the
health benefits and cost effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy.
Contact your legislator, share who you are, what you do, and why
it matters to them
Invite legislators to local dietetic membership meetings, outreach
activities, and/or sponsored events
Get Active
Respond to Action Alerts on Grassroots Manager on the Academy website
www.eatright.org/members/actioncenter.aspx
Attend townhall meetings
Contribute to a political party
As a registered dietitian, offer to serve as a subject expert for your legislator, in public
policy or health advice
Offer to volunteer during a legislator’s campaign, or hold a fundraiser (if you are not a
government employee), the more local a candidate, the more low-key the fundraising
events—don’t be intimidated!
If legislators vote the way you request, thank them
Attend State Dietetic Association Legislative Day and Academy Public Policy Workshop
(March 10-12, 2013 in Washington DC)
Meet with your Legislator
To prepare for a visit watch the video “Removing the Fear Factor”
produced by Lisa Eaton Wright, MS, RD, LDN
http://vimeo.com/40030612
Bring handouts to support your message:
“Top 10 Reasons How Registered Dietitians Can Improve the Health of
Americans and Save Health Care Dollars”
http://www.eatright.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=1
0795
“MNT Coverage for Medicare and Prediabetes”
http://www.eatright.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=6
442468706&libID=6442468688
Bring your business card and write the Bill Number on the back of
the card to encourage co-sponsorship
Learning to be a Passionate
Advocate
Basic RULES of Politics
Registered voter who is a
passionate advocate
Understand the process
Loyalty to the Academy and
some insight into political parties
Electronic media use
Support the Academy’s Public
Policy Priority Areas
Tips
Read the local newspaper
Get on the party’s email list
($25), if you give $50 you
have to write down your
profession – Dietitian!
Choose a political party to
join (only 1 during a 2 year
election cycle)
Contribute $25+ to a political
party (but not both parties)
Get on legislators website,
facebook/twitter pages,
newsletters and attend
townhall meetings