07/28/99 For Second Straight Year, Half of Congress Supports Medical Reimbursement for Nutrition Help

For Second Straight Year, Half of Congress Supports Medical Reimbursement for Nutrition Help

Press Release July 28, 1999

Contact: Tom Ryan or Doris Acosta
E-mail: media@eatright.org
(Please do not publish/broadcast contact information)

FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR, HALF OF CONGRESS SUPPORTS MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR NUTRITION HELP

CHICAGO -- For the second consecutive year -- in two different sessions of Congress -- a bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives has signed on as co-sponsors of legislation that would permit reimbursement under Medicare Part B for care provided by registered dietitians or nutrition professionals.

The American Dietetic Association, which has been urging Congress for nearly four years to extend Medicare to cover comprehensive nutrition services, particularly in outpatient settings, commends all members -- 218 to date -- who have joined the Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act, HR 1187, as co-sponsors.

"We are pleased and gratified that, for a second straight year, a majority of members of the House, led by the bill’s sponsor Rep. Nancy L. Johnson (R-Conn.), have shown their support for this important and cost-effective method of improving the quality of care for Medicare recipients," said ADA president Ann Gallagher, a Ft. Wayne, Ind., registered dietitian.

"It has been the longstanding view of The American Dietetic Association that nutrition professionals play a vital role in the health-care process, in disease prevention and in improving the nutritional health and the lives of all our nation’s citizens," Gallagher added.

Johnson said: "The evidence is overwhelming that medical nutrition therapy will both save money and improve the quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries. This is good policy and I look forward to working with my congressional colleagues and The American Dietetic Association to pass the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act."

The Senate version of the bill, S 660, is co-sponsored by Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Larry Craig (R-Idaho).

Of 2,575 bills introduced so far in the 106th Congress, just 14 have achieved majority co-sponsorship in the House. Only two of them, including HR 1187, are health-related.

While achieving a majority of co-sponsors does not guarantee passage of legislation, it significantly elevates the issue in the eyes of congressional leadership, Gallagher said.

"ADA urges Congress to pass medical nutrition therapy legislation during the 106th Congress. The evidence that good nutrition lowers medical costs is compelling. This country will save by reimbursing nutrition therapy as part of medical coverage."

Medical nutrition therapy is effective in treating and controlling cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol and other life-threatening conditions. Patients require fewer hospitalizations and medications and have fewer complications.

Independent research studies have shown the costs of extending Medicare to cover outpatient nutrition services would be offset by billions of dollars in savings in other treatment areas in as few as four years. A study done recently for the Department of Defense estimated that more than $3 million could be saved after just one year if medical nutrition therapy was included in the Tricare benefit program for military personnel.

There is now no consistent pattern of coverage for nutrition services, either under Medicare or in the private sector. ADA hopes Congress will recognize this high level of support for medical nutrition therapy coverage as it considers options to reform Medicare in hopes of securing the long-term solvency and security of the program.

With nearly 70,000 members, the Chicago-based American Dietetic Association is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA serves the public by promoting nutrition, health and well-being.