Take Action Today on TROA and DSMT

Earlier this year, we asked you to take action on the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act and the Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act – we need your help once again on these important bills! TROA and DSMT offer clinically- and cost-effective solutions to address obesity and diabetes, two major chronic diseases that cost our nation billions of dollars each year. Take action today!

Take Action Today on the Preventive Health Savings Act

Academy members play critical roles in programs across the country that prevent chronic disease and reduce health care costs, yet these important prevention strategies are not getting the recognition they deserve when it comes to cost savings. The Preventive Health Savings Act of 2019 would allow the Congressional Budget Office to more accurately reflect long-term cost-savings of preventive health initiatives that promote and maintain positive health and prevent disease and premature death. We need your help! Since this action alert opened on June 17, only 2.18 percent of Academy members have taken action on this issue. Thank you to the Affiliate PPCs and DPG PALs who have taken action! If you are a PPC or PAL who hasn’t taken action, we encourage you to take action today! Our goal is 100 percent participation among PPCs, PALs and policy leaders – lead by example and share the importance of taking action with your affiliates and DPGs.

PPCs who have taken action on Preventive Health Savings as of June 25, 2019

Action Alert Update – Support Malnutrition Quality Measures Congressional Letter to CMS

We need your help! Since the action alert for the Malnutrition Quality Measures Congressional Letter to CMS opened on June 3, 2019, only ~3.05 percent of Academy members have taken action.

Thank you to the Affiliate PPCs and DPG PALs who have taken action! If you are a PPC or PAL who hasn’t taken action, we encourage you to support the malnutrition quality measures congressional letter to CMS. Our goal is 100 percent participation among PPCs, PALs and policy leaders – lead by example and share the importance of taking action with your affiliates and DPGs. Take action now!

Nutrition and Dietetics Advocacy Summit Webinars

If you missed this afternoon’s webinar for Nutrition and Dietetics Advocacy Summit attendees, the archived webinar will be available on the 2019 Nutrition and Dietetics Advocacy Summit Community of Interest tomorrow.

Rep. Bobby Scott to Speak at Nutrition and Dietetics Advocacy Summit

Rep. Bobby Scott (Va.) will speak during the Nutrition and Dietetics Advocacy Summit next month. The congressman will highlight key health policies during the Power Breakfast (ticketed event) on Friday, July 12. As a reminder, this Friday is the last day to register for the Nutrition and Dietetics Advocacy Summit!

School Food Modernization Act Introduced

The newly introduced bipartisan and bicameral School Food Modernization Act will expand schools’ ability to modernize kitchen infrastructure and equipment, as well as strengthen workforce training. The Academy is a proud supporter of this bill. Stay tuned for an action alert on this important issue in the next few weeks.

Academy Urges OMB to Consider Consumer Inflation

In a comment letter sent last week, the Academy urged the Office of Management and Budget to carefully consider which consumer price index is most appropriate for low income households and the potential health implications associated with changes to the current poverty threshold used to calculate eligibility for federal health and nutrition programs. Many families and individuals who are at-risk for food security depend on federal nutrition programs for support. The research suggests using the slowest rising index is not suitable for this population.

Academy Urges CMS to Delay Finalization of Reclassification of Malnutrition Diagnostic Codes for Hospital Payment Purposes

CMS has been encouraged by the Academy and other partner organizations to delay changes in CC/MCC status for E43 and E44.0 until additional data analysis can be conducted. In response for public feedback on this issue, the Academy joined the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, the American Society for Nutrition, and the Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists in submitting a comment letter yesterday to CMS.

Academy’s Consumer Protection and Licensure Subcommittee Meets

The Academy’s Consumer Protection and Licensure Subcommittee gathered in Washington, D.C. last week to plan the Academy’s efforts to ensure that the public has access to and can readily identify qualified professionals who demonstrate the knowledge, skill, and competency necessary to provide safe and ethical nutrition therapy. Initiatives for the coming year include: facilitating interstate practice; collaborating with other stakeholders to promote and defend strong licensure laws for protecting the public; and developing strategies for enhancing members’ perceptions of the intrinsic value of professional licensure.

Improving Advanced Diabetes Technology Access and Reimbursement Under Medicare

The Academy added its support to the “Improving Advanced Diabetes Technology Access and Reimbursement Under Medicare” whitepaper. Academy member and DCE representative Betty Krauss, RDN, CDE, FAND represented the Academy on the task force that developed the document.

SNAP the Focus of House Hearing

The pros and cons of broad-based categorical eligibility for SNAP households was the focus of last week’s House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations hearing. Committee members discussed the implications that eliminating the policy would have on school-aged children who are currently eligible for the National School Lunch Program through BBCE. There is no guarantee these children would remain eligible for the NSLP if BBCE were removed, in addition to potentially becoming at greater risk of food insecurity if their household’s SNAP eligibility were revoked. Other committee members are concerned BBCE allows an unintended loophole for households to qualify for SNAP benefits who would otherwise be ineligible.

PAL Calls Converted to Individualized Format

The Academy’s Policy Initiatives and Advocacy office appreciates the engagement of PALs on regulatory policy. To better apply the expertise of PALs, we’ve decided to convert the PAL calls to an individualized format. Instead of inviting all PALs to attend each month on a set schedule, we will increase our use of conference calls with specific PALs to address specific relevant topics. These calls will continue to be scheduled on an as needed basis, and will not follow any particular schedule. We look forward to working with PALs in this more customized, focused format. For more information, please contact Mark Rifkin or Pepin Tuma.

FNCE Registration Now Open!

Registration is now open for FNCE 2019! This year’s event will be held in Philadelphia, Penn., October 26-29, 2019. Attendees can earn up to 30 CPEUs. Register today!

Partnership Center’s Third Webinar in “Mental Illness 101” Series

We all need food to live; however, 30 million Americans struggle daily with a complex and unhealthy relationship with this natural necessity. The Partnership Center’s third webinar in its “Mental Illness 101” series focuses on understanding eating disorders, how and when they typically manifest, and the toll taken on an individual’s perception of body, mind, and spirit. Register today for the June 27 webinar.

Regulatory Roundup

Regulatory Items Available for Comment

The Academy has an opportunity to shape and revise regulations by submitting comments to federal agencies. Please click on the button below to view the full comment opportunities and Google Docs where PALs can provide feedback on behalf of their DPGs.

This week’s Regulatory Roundup includes: 1.) an evaluation of a CDC fall prevention initiative, and 2) a survey of children on the autism spectrum to collect data to help identify risk factors. A calendar of upcoming meetings is also included in this week’s update (click button below).