Legislative and Public Policy Committee (LPPC) and ADA Political Action Committee (ADAPAC) Report Fall 2006

The Legislative and Public Policy Committee (LPPC) and the ADAPAC Board of Directors play unique, complementary roles in advocacy for the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The LPPC oversees strategic work, including stances of the association, while ADAPAC supports the creation of a more pro-nutrition environment through contributions to candidates who are receptive to ADA’s issues and concerns.

Highlights

ADA has been able to achieve numerous public policy goals this year: 

  • ADA has been successful in attaining provisions in the Older Americans Act (OAA) that will increase the roles of RDs and DTRs in OAA programs. Now close to final approval, the new OAA will help ensure dietitians are part of the state and local service provider teams, and make it possible for OAA clients to have better access to nutrition screening, assessment, counseling and education. The Gerontological Nutrition DPG laid the groundwork for OAA efforts. ADAPAC focused on selected nutrition champions on the House Energy and Commerce and Senate Health, Environment, Labor and Pensions committees.
  • The new Ryan White CARE Act (RWCA) is developing in a way that will elevate nutrition care and services. Substantive work on RWCA stemmed from collaborations with the HIV/AIDS DPG. ADAPAC facilitated dialogue with appropriate House and Senate committees.
  • ADA continues to underscore the importance of new Medicare MNT preventive care and chronic disease management programs and expansion of diseases and conditions covered. ADAPAC focuses on nutrition champions on the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees.
  • ADA is working proactively to bring recognition and opportunity to RDs and DTRs in food safety, nutrition monitoring and research, in anticipation of the next farm bill debate. Numerous DPGs are collaborating on farm bill issues. ADAPAC is focused on building stronger interest in nutrition matters within the Senate and House Agriculture Committees and to develop nutrition champions.
  • Through ADAPAC, we have been able to explore with key members of Congress issues related to the nutritional health of Americans. ADAPAC also made it possible for ADA to tell candidates last fall that it was wrong to single out food assistance programs for budget cuts when millions of Americans would be in desperate need of food assistance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

LPPC Activities
The LPPC has received a staff report on background, status and futures needs for grassroots advocacy. This fall, the committee will develop recommendations to update the ADA Grassroots program and will share its findings with the Board of Directors in 2007. In addition, the committee will follow up on farm bill issues raised at its summer meeting, and review committee goals for the 110th Congress.

ADA continues work with affiliates on licensure, scope of practice, child nutrition, wellness, and other areas. South Carolina and Michigan became the 45th and 46th states, respectively, to gain licensure. ADA has been active in supporting the Hawaiian Dietetic Association’s advocacy for implementing the state’s licensure law.

ADAPAC Activities
The ADAPAC Board will consider fundraising goals for the 110th Congress. Already in 2006, more than 1,000 new donors have given and the average ADAPAC donation has reached a record high. 

The Board will actively seek 100 percent participation by all ADA leaders in ADAPAC, consistent with the policies and practices of other professional associations. Increasing the number of donors, raising averages and educating the leadership are necessary to maintain ADAPAC as a positive force in support of ADA’s food, nutrition and health initiatives.  

Committee Members

Legislative and Public Policy Committee
Members of the 2006 LPPC are Mary Pat Raimondi, chair; Suzy Weems, vice chair; Cecilia Fileti, Michele Chynoweth; Clara Lawhead; Tatyana El Kour; Margaret Garner, Teresa Nece and Tina Remig. Ex-officio members are Judith Gilbride, Jessie Pavlinac and Anne Marie Hunter.

American Dietetic Association Political Action Committee
Members of the 2006 ADAPAC Board are Anne Marie Hunter, chair; Ane Marie Kis-Duryea, vice-chair; Susan Yake, Carolyn Leontos, Dianne Lollar, Pat McKnight, Ronald S. Moen, Stephanie Patrick, and Ronald Smith. Teresa Nece is the LPPC liaison and Mary Lee Watts staffs the ADAPAC Board.


Submitted by Mary Pat Raimondi, MS, RD and Anne Marie Hunter, MS, RD, LD, FADA

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