Champion Nutrition

Janet L. Washington MPH RD LDN

The 2008 Public Policy Workshop was "sold out" for the second time in history. This year the program added more time for advocacy skill development. Training was an effective tool for assisting affiliates to return to their state with plans for follow up implementation in the local purview. Communication between affiliate and DPG leaders on issues positively affecting the profession in the state and localities was successful by encouraging RDs to match skill sets and build relationships. Networking with ADA members identified opportunities to share activities that were successfully implemented, thereby increasing visibility and establishing key contacts with legislative members. Mentors were tapped to assist first time attendees, dietetic interns and students. A basic civics review session was offered as well.

VN DPG members outside Senator John Kerry's office

Highlights of our days in Washington D.C. included:

What a break from cold weather for us in the northeast — we experienced temperatures in D.C. in the 60's.
USDA Food and Nutrition Services Administrator Roberto Salazar stated that "nutrition should not be an afterthought" and that we owe it to our professions to use our rights combined with "passion and responsibility" to move the country forward toward optimal health. This New Mexico native also reminds us that "change happens in an instant - when you decide to change".
Politics Today with Tom DeFrank, Washington Bureau Chief, New York Daily News, gave us a historical perspective of past legislative endeavors with humorous behind the scenes anecdotes. He remarked that our presidential election is historic in several ways. I was surprised to learn that it has been 56 years since a former Vice President was not included among the candidates.
Presidential candidate Obama announced support for preventive services by dietitians and this was well received by ADA members.
Congratulations to Hawaii as the state implements licensure in 2008.
Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson, MD, MPH, promoted the significant roles of RDs and DTRs in public health. "He stressed their value in a number of public health campaigns, and particularly in efforts to reverse rising numbers of overweight and obese children and in addressing health disparities."
Senator Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) discussed the Farm Bill with attendees and he indicated that he felt the challenges to be "substantial but solvable".
State Representative Martha McCloud (D-NH), MOE, RD, LD; State Representative Carol Pitts (R-SD), MS, RD; and Wyoming Department of Health Licensing and Surveys Manager, Jean McLean, RD — spoke about nutrition's status in the states and the critical need for ADA members to be involved in regulatory, legislative and public outreach efforts at the state level.
ADAPAC (27 years strong) appeared to reach its goal of total participation from attendees.

RD's recognized the Farm Bill and expanding Medical Nutrition Therapy in both Medicare and Medicaid as the "asks" for PPW 2008. (They look familiar because they were the focus of last years PPW as well) PPW attendees carried the messages to congress. The new Farm Bill must match nutrition authorities with adequate resources to provide an improved health environment with strong provisions for food and nutrition. Follow the link to read details and key messages from ADA at: http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/10988_10974_ENU_HTML.htm »

You will find ADA's stance is that the farm bill needs to include:

funding for food and agriculture research

a funded food stamp program that includes a pilot program to help food stamp recipients choose diets consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans,

initiatives to improve the school food environment through healthful offerings and nutrition education, and

rebalancing of food and agriculture program benefits

We encouraged our legislatures to give Medicare the authority to expand the Medical Nutrition Therapy benefit. In the House our message encouraged the inclusion of pre-diabetes to the MNT coverage under Medicaid. MNT as a preventative measure is reasonable and necessary for prevention or early detection of illness.

Messages this year looked to international nutrition issues as well. It seems probable that the budget will strengthen food safety initiatives nationally and internationally.

More information about PPW is posted at http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/10882_ENU_HTML.htm

Find your federal representative contact information by going to:
http://www.house.gov »

Finding your state legislator:
http://ada.aristotle.com/viewers/FindLegislator.asp »

Plan ahead for PPW 2009 — and save the dates: Feb. 9-11, 2009

Be involved locally and contact our VN-DPG legislative chair, Vanessa Michels MS RD on issues that concern you. She reminds us to visit the "Advocacy and the Profession" section of the ADA's website ». Also available to members is On The Pulse, a weekly online newsletter providing up to date information on legislative issues concerning food, nutrition, and health.