Advocacy for Medical Nutrition Therapy
- Norine Fraval
- Feb 19, 2021
- 3 min read
The COVID-19 pandemic has strengthened the focus and determination of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and other institutions to treat conditions leading to chronic disease and a weakened immune system through adequate nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.
According to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC), the following chronic diseases put individuals at higher risk of severe illness from the COVID-19 virus:
Cancer
Chronic kidney disease
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Down Syndrome
Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2)
Severe Obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2)
Pregnancy
Sickle cell disease
Smoking
Type 2 diabetes mellitus
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (referred to as the Academy throughout this text) encourages governments to act through legislation to increase access to care that addresses chronic diseases. This care can be provided through Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) or access to nutrition programs with the goal of increasing access to healthy foods.
The following table lists the government funded nutrition programs which aims to improve population’s nutritional status through access to healthy foods. These programs are administered by the Food Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
You can find the exhaustive list of government funded nutrition programs here.
The Academy advocates for more government support and focus on improving the nutritional status of populations in the US and worldwide through legislation and developing healthy nutritional standards. For this reason, the Academy created a Political Action Committee whose purpose is to direct funds to help elect pro-nutrition candidates for federal office.
The Academy advocates for easier and more affordable access to nutrition intervention such as Medical Nutrition Therapy. A current focus of the Academy with importance to Registered Dietitians and the general public is the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act which has the potential to exponentially increase the reach of Medical Nutrition Therapy.
The Medical Nutrition Therapy Act would allow healthcare professionals other than a medical physician to refer their patients for MNT including physician nurse, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, and psychologist. If passed, the bill will also extend Medicare Part B coverage for MNT for prediabetes, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, malnutrition, eating disorders, cancer, celiac disease, HIV/AIDS, and any other disease or condition causing unintentional weight loss. Currently, Medicare Part B only covers MNT for patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease or patients who have had a kidney transplant within the last 36 months.
The following list describes other areas for advocacy (list is non exhaustive)
Breastfeeding in the Workplace
Farm Bill
Food Insecurity Among Active-Duty Service Members and Veterans
Gestational Diabetes Act
Medicare Diabetes Prevention Act
Older Americans Act
Preventive Health Saving Act
Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (2019)
Please visit the Eatrightpro Website to know more about current legislations and areas for advocacy.
In a letter to the Biden-Harris administration, the Academy proposes solutions to increase the role of nutrition interventions in treating or preventing chronic diseases. For example, the Academy suggests that the maximum SNAP benefit be boosted by 15% and that its monthly minimum increased from $16 to $30.
The Academy also urges that the school nutrition and childcare programs receive emergency relief funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fortunately, the new Administration has already committed to implement some of the solutions suggested by the Academy, including improvements to SNAP.
In its efforts to promote advocacy in nutrition, the Academy offers tools to its members to engage in advocacy and maintain an open communication channel with elected officials. On this webpage, you can find tools on:
How to meet with your Member of Congress
Tips for success in advocacy
How to engage your Member of Congress
The Academy also hosts an annual Nutrition and Dietetics Advocacy Summit where participants are trained in leadership and communication skills.
References
https://www.eatrightpro.org/advocacy/political-action-committee/what-is-a-political-action-committee
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