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Promoting RDs Through Public Policy

Promoting RDs Through Public Policy . Katherine Nashatker , MS, RD, LD, CDE Nina Crowley, MS, RD, LD . Public Policy Workshop 2012 Washington, DC. Be Aware. Know who your lawmakers are, visit the Academy’s Action Center Members  Public Policy  Legislation OR Take Action

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Promoting RDs Through Public Policy

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  1. Promoting RDs Through Public Policy Katherine Nashatker, MS, RD, LD, CDE Nina Crowley, MS, RD, LD

  2. Public Policy Workshop 2012 Washington, DC

  3. Be Aware • Know who your lawmakers are, visit the Academy’s Action Center • Members  Public Policy Legislation OR Take Action • Find information about your lawmakers on their websites, or your state General Assembly website. • www.scstatehouse.gov • Know the political calendar and how often each office is up for election • Federal Senate (6 yrs) State Senate (4 yrs ), House (2 yrs) • SC General Assembly's annual session begins on the 2nd Tuesday in January and runs through the 1st Thursday in June • Know party platform positions on health care issues, visit The American Presidency Project • www.presidency.ucsb.edu/platforms.php

  4. US Senators for SC • Jim DeMint (R) • Lindsey Graham (R) • US Representatives for SC • 1st District -Tim Scott (R) • 2nd District -Joe Wilson (R) • 3rd District- Jeff Duncan (R) • 4th District- Trey Gowdy (R) • 5th District- Mick Mulvaney (R) • 6th District- James Clyburn (D)

  5. State Senators & Representatives • 46 State Senators • 26 Republicans • 19 Democrats • 1 vacancy • 124 Representatives • 76 Republicans • 48 Democrats • Speaker of the House – Bobby Harrell • Look at committees legislators are involved in – some that have to do with medical issues

  6. Academy Public Policy Priority Areas • Members  Public Policy  Legislative and Public Policy Priority Areas • Consumer and Community Issues • Prevention and treatment of chronic disease, including health care equity • Meeting nutrition needs through the life cycle: Maternal and child nutrition to healthy aging • Quality food and nutrition through education, production, access and delivery • Nutrition monitoring and research • Professional Issues • Licensure: Protection of the Public • Workforce demand: Assuring the Public has access to nutrition services delivered by qualified practitioners • Outcome driven nutrition services in changing health systems

  7. Academy Resources • On the Pulse • A weekly report on topics that reflect the Academy’s legislative and regulatory priorities in Washington and the states, as well as reimbursement, science and practice-related matters • Action Alert • Action Alerts are sent to all members requesting them to contact their state representatives in order to bring awareness on pending legislation • www.eatright.org/advocacy for more public policy info

  8. Older Americans Act • Reauthorization: OAA of 1965 • Congregate Nutrition Services (Title III) • Home-Delivered Meal Services (Title III) • Target: >60 years, low-income and homebound • Results: 92 million meals, 1.7 million seniors served (63% rely on home-delivered meals for half or more of their total daily intake) • South Carolina: annual cost of meals: $1,107 compared to annual cost of a nursing home stay: $25,000-$37,000

  9. The Farm Bill (aka “The Food Bill”) • The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) • The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) • eligibility, program access, benefits levels & (SNAP-Ed) • 40.3 million people in 18.6 million households “The economic return of nutrition education far exceeds the cost, with a return investment of $9.58 in health care and productivity savings for every $1 spent”

  10. Expanding MNT for Pre-diabetes • General Population • 1 in 10 people have DM, 4 out of 10 have pre-diabetes (annual cost to healthcare: $174 billion) • Incidence in Medicare • 7 out of 10 are affected by DM or pre-diabetes • For 5 out of the 10, DM may be prevented if access to diet and exercise lifestyle interventions is provided • New bill would increase scope of MNT provided to beneficiary with pre-diabetes, in addition to with diabetes.

  11. Drug Shortages Affecting Patient Care • The Drug Shortage Prevention Act • “critical drug” list, public alerts, revise FDA approval process • Preserving Access to Life-Saving Medications Act • 6 month notice required of any planned interruption • Penalty: $10,000/violation not to exceed $1.8 million • Require manufactures to submit notice to FDA for: • Adjustments related to supply of raw materials • Adjustments to production capabilities • Business decisions that may affect manufacturer of the drug

  12. Announce • Be able to explain what you know to others • Provide clients with the facts supporting advocacy for RD services • “The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics National Coverage Determination Formal Request,” by PrashanthiRao Raman, Esq, MPH, and Erica Gradwell, MS, RD, in the January 2012, volume 112, issue 1 of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics • Presents evidence from over20 scientific studies demonstrating the health benefits and cost effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy. • Contact your legislator, share who you are, what you do, and why it matters to them • Invite legislators to local dietetic membership meetings, outreach activities, and/or sponsored events

  13. Get Active • Respond to Action Alerts on Grassroots Manager on the Academy website • www.eatright.org/members/actioncenter.aspx • Attend townhall meetings • Contribute to a political party • As a registered dietitian, offer to serve as a subject expert for your legislator, in public policy or health advice • Offer to volunteer during a legislator’s campaign, or hold a fundraiser (if you are not a government employee), the more local a candidate, the more low-key the fundraising events—don’t be intimidated! • If legislators vote the way you request, thank them • Attend State Dietetic Association Legislative Day and Academy Public Policy Workshop (March 10-12, 2013 in Washington DC)

  14. Meet with your Legislator • To prepare for a visit watch the video “Removing the Fear Factor” produced by Lisa Eaton Wright, MS, RD, LDN • http://vimeo.com/40030612 • Bring handouts to support your message: • “Top 10 Reasons How Registered Dietitians Can Improve the Health of Americans and Save Health Care Dollars” • http://www.eatright.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=10795 • “MNT Coverage for Medicare and Prediabetes” • http://www.eatright.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=6442468706&libID=6442468688 • Bring your business card and write the Bill Number on the back of the card to encourage co-sponsorship

  15. Learning to be a Passionate Advocate • Basic RULES of Politics • Registered voter who is a passionate advocate • Understand the process • Loyalty to the Academy and some insight into political parties • Electronic media use • Support the Academy’s Public Policy Priority Areas • Tips • Read the local newspaper • Get on the party’s email list ($25), if you give $50 you have to write down your profession – Dietitian! • Choose a political party to join (only 1 during a 2 year election cycle) • Contribute $25+ to a political party (but not both parties) • Get on legislators website, facebook/twitter pages, newsletters and attend townhall meetings

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