03/18/98 Senator Craig -- Public Policy Leadership Award Winner

Senator Craig -- Public Policy Leadership Award Winner

Earns American Dietetic Association's Public Policy Leadership Award

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 18, 1998



Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho) addressed more than 400 nutrition experts gathered this week in Washington, D.C., for the annual legislative symposium of The American Dietetic Association (ADA), the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Craig, lead Republican sponsor of The Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 1997, was honored with ADA's Public Policy Leadership Award.

ADA recognized Senator Craig for his leadership on legislative efforts designed to enhance Americans nutrition and health, while saving taxpayer money. Specifically, ADA cited Craig as a champion of federal policy regarding medical nutrition therapy.

Medical nutrition therapy includes the assessment of a patient's nutritional status followed by appropriate therapy, which can range from diet modifications to administration of specialized treatment methods such as intravenous or tube feedings. To date, there is no consistent pattern of coverage for nutrition services, either in Medicare or in the private sector.

Numerous studies and analysis, including those released from The Lewin Group, a highly respected health policy research firm, show medical nutrition therapy improves patient health while saving health care dollars through reduced hospital admissions and fewer complications from diseases and conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke.

"Medical professionals have known for years that nutrition therapy is a key factor in improving a patient's health and speeding recovery. Now, thanks to Senator Craig, we have growing support for legislation to make access to quality nutrition care a reality," said Polly Fitz, R.D. (registered dietitian), president of the 70,000-member ADA.

Senator Craig told an audience of mostly registered dietitians, who met with their local members of Congress, that they should continue to add cosponsors to the bill and build an information base that demonstrates the benefits of medical nutrition therapy.

He also suggested that the universal tobacco settlement, which is likely to result from numerous lawsuits filed by state's attorneys general against the tobacco industry, might help ADA's mission to win coverage for medical nutrition therapy.

"Smoking has had the greatest impact on health," Craig said. "The entire settlement, with the exception of funds used for anti-smoking education for teenagers, should go to Medicare. This would give us an additional opportunity to look at medical nutrition therapy coverage," he said.

The Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 1997 (H.R. 1375/S. 597) provides Part B coverage for medical nutrition therapy by registered dietitians and other qualified nutrition professionals. S.597 has 20 cosponsors and H.R. 1375 has more than 180 cosponsors to date.

The Chicago-based American Dietetic Association is the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Founded in 1917, it's members serve the public through the promotion of optimal nutrition, health and well-being.

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