Legislative and Public Policy Committee (LPPC) Report Spring 2006

Legislative and Public Policy Committee (LPPC) Report Spring 2006

In Spring 2006, the Legislative and Public Policy Committee (LPPC) has overseen:

The 2006 Public Policy Workshop, which drew one of the largest attendance levels ever for this event and with representation from 49 of the 50 states. The program centered on the theme The Tension Between Science and Politics, which framed food, nutrition and health issues for maximum information and insights for effective advocacy.

The sessions this year:

  • Released several pieces of original research and advisories on nutrition care and practice.
  • Provided new resources on state legislative and regulatory advocacy.
  • Briefed attendees on the work of the scope of dietetics practice task force, including its framework document.
  • Offered a Civics 101 course for new attendees or others wanting to refresh their knowledge of democratic processes.

Orientation sessions for first timers, students and affiliate and DPG representatives are a regular part of the PPW program. Speakers at plenary sessions included two United States Senators, two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the acting Secretary of Agriculture, senior officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, National Academies of Science, the White House Conference on Aging, Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, academics and the First Lady of Maine.

ADA recognized Kim Vagt of California as the Excellence in Grassroots Award winner. ADAPAC conveyed its Trailblazer Award to Mary Lou South of California. The Ann Gallagher Award was presented to Priscilla Carleton of Louisiana on behalf of CD-HCF. Judy MacNeil of Michigan received the DCE DPG Legislative Activity Award. Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois received the Public Policy Leadership Award.


Legislative and Regulatory Update

ADA is active on Capitol Hill with key messages to senators and representatives:

  • Support and fund amendments to the Older Americans Act to increase participant access to nutrition screening, education and counseling in the Older Americans Act and to ensure that qualified expertise is utilized in the coordination and planning of meal services.
  • Co-sponsor a new Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) Act. H.R. 1582 and S. 604 would give Medicare the authority to apply MNT benefits where there is scientific evidence that MNT will prevent the onset and progression of more serious disease, conditions or disorders. ADA seeks to strengthen the role of MNT and the registered dietitian by designating MNT as a core service in the Ryan White CARE Act.
  • Support funding in the Labor HHS Appropriations bill to develop a tool for school districts to evaluate implementation and outcomes of their school wellness policy.

State issues:

  • RDs took center stage in the spouses’ program when the National Governor’s Association (NGA) held its winter meeting in Washington. It happened because a registered dietitian in Maine — and in this case, an RD who happens to be married to the Governor — wanted to showcase what RDs and DTRs do and how it supports the NGA’s Healthy American campaign for better habits for better health. ADA has briefed affiliates about the opportunity to build on the platform created with the governors and the LPPC is following up to help the states position the RD and DTR more strategically in the consideration of food, nutrition and health issues.
  • Licensure work is most intense for Hawaii, New York and South Carolina this spring and ADA is providing support to these and other affiliates working on licensure and scope of practice legislation and regulation.
  • ADA has conducted a review of Medicaid MNT — 20 states now cover some kind of nutrition in this program.
  • ADA has agreed to send speakers to 16 affiliates and DPGs requesting appearances through the PIA speakers bureau this Spring. Topics range from grassroots training, ADA advocacy, the strategic role of ADAPAC, school wellness, dietary guidelines, as well as scope of practice and the practice environment and the requirements they pose for every dietitian.

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. Current ex-officio members are Judith Gilbride, Sonja Conner and Anne Marie Hunter.

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