03/16/05

Nutrition Therapy from the Experts for More People at No Additional Cost: American Dietetic Association Supports Medicare Legislation Introduced by Sen. Craig

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 16, 2005

Media contact: Doris Acosta
800/877-1600, ext. 4822
media@eatright.org

CHICAGO - The American Dietetic Association said Wednesday, March 16, that it strongly supports legislation introduced in Congress by U.S. Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) to offer more Americans access to potentially life-saving nutrition care provided by registered dietitians, at no additional cost to taxpayers.

The legislation would give the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services the authority to cover medical nutrition therapy for any disease or condition when scientific evidence shows it would be cost-effective in outpatient settings. Currently, Medicare reimbursement is available to beneficiaries with diabetes and kidney disease, and Congress must approve any expansion of Medicare benefits.

“By allowing CMS to review the science behind recommendations, Congress would no longer have to act each and every time MNT is proven necessary and reasonable,” said registered dietitian and ADA President Susan H. Laramee.

The legislation would not require expansion of Medicare benefits, but would allow CMS to review the scientific evidence and apply its new authority if it determines coverage is necessary and reasonable. “That standard would help ensure this is a budget-neutral approach and that Medicare spending will not rise, even with broader availability of MNT services,” Laramee said.

Medicare beneficiaries with such conditions as obesity, hypertension, cancer and HIV/AIDS can benefit from medical nutrition therapy provided by RDs, Laramee said. “Evidence shows the value of nutrition interventions by themselves, or in concert with other treatments and therapies provided by the health-care team in each of these disorders, conditions or diseases.”

MNT could also be used as a preventive strategy, addressing diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia in their early stages, Laramee said.

Co-sponsors with Craig of the Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2005 are Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine).  U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) is expected to introduce a House version soon. ADA and its members urge Senators and members of Congress to join in co-sponsoring the bill.

The American Dietetic Association is the nation’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. With nearly 65,000 members, the Chicago-based ADA serves the public by promoting optimal health and well-being for all people. Visit ADA at http://www.eatright.org/.