10/15/98 Will Majority Rule? Medical Nutrition Therapy Legislation Obtains More Than Half Of Congress As Co-Sponsors

Will Majority Rule? Medical Nutrition Therapy Legislation Obtains More Than Half Of Congress As Co-Sponsors

Press Release

October 15, 1998

Media Contacts: Tom Ryan, Doris Acosta, or M. Johnna Thomas
E-mail: media@eatright.org
(Please do not publish/broadcast contact information.)

WILL MAJORITY RULE? MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY LEGISLATION OBTAINS MORE THAN HALF OF CONGRESS AS CO-SPONSORS

CHICAGO--Reimbursement under Medicare Part B for care provided by registered dietitians or nutrition professionals is a big step closer to reality, now that a bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives has signed on as co-sponsors of the Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act (HR 1375).

The American Dietetic Association, which has been urging Congress for nearly two years to extend Medicare to cover comprehensive nutrition services, particularly in outpatient settings, commends all members--225 to date--who have joined HR 1375 as co-sponsors.

"We are pleased that a bipartisan majority has concurred with The American Dietetic Association's view that nutrition professionals play a vital role in the health-care process and in improving the lives of all our nation's citizens," said Ann Coulston, a Stanford University research dietitian and president of the ADA.

Lead sponsors of the Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act are Reps. John Ensign (R-Nev.), Nancy L. Johnson (R-Conn.) and Jose E. Serrano (D-N.Y.). The Senate version of the bill, S 597, is co-sponsored by Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-Mont.) and Larry Craig (R-Idaho).

"I am proud to see that my bill has 225 cosponsors," Ensign said. "I have been working hand in hand with The American Dietetic Association to educate my colleagues and the public about the important preventive health benefits of nutrition therapy counseling. I will continue to fight to get this important benefit covered by Medicare."

"This multi-disciplinary, 'whole-patient' approach to health care represents the future--it saves money while simultaneously improving the quality of care," Johnson said. "Achieving majority co-sponsorship is a substantial step, though it is not the end of the process. In many ways it is just the beginning. I look forward to working with my Congressional colleagues and The American Dietetic Association to pass the Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act."

According to Serrano, "If we are going to preserve Medicare, we must find ways to cut costs without sacrificing the quality of patient care. Providing Medicare coverage for medical nutrition therapy services will save Medicare money and help Americans live longer and healthier lives."

Of more than 5,000 bills that have been introduced in the 105th Congress, fewer than one percent--excluding resolutions or bills awarding gold medals--have majority co-sponsorship.

While achieving a majority of co-sponsors does not secure consideration or passage of legislation, "it significantly elevates the issue in the eyes of congressional leadership," Coulston said. "ADA urges Congress to reintroduce medical nutrition therapy legislation and pass it during the 106th Congress."

Medical nutrition therapy is effective in treating and controlling cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol and other life-threatening conditions.

Patients receiving medical nutrition therapy require fewer hospitalizations and medications and have fewer complications, according to Coulston.

Research also shows that the costs of extending Medicare to cover outpatient nutrition services would be offset by savings in other treatment areas in as few as five years. Medicare will pay almost all costs of quadruple bypass surgery but nothing for office visits with a registered dietitian whose advice could have kept the patient out of the operating room in the first place.

There is now no consistent pattern of coverage for nutrition services, either under Medicare or in the private sector. Coulston said ADA would like the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare to recognize this high level of support for medical nutrition therapy coverage in its recommendations, scheduled to be delivered to Congress in March 1999, to secure 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. The ADA serves the public by promoting nutrition, health and well-being.