Where We A re: Examining CT’s Political Climate

1. Where We Are: Examining CT’s Political Climate Sarah Bourque MS, RD, CD-N State Policy Representative CDA Spring Meeting April 27, 2012

2. Political Climate • What does it mean? • Political climate refers to the environment, current mood, and opinions surrounding the government and political parties in a particular government

3. Political Players • What is a “political player”? • Any government body, legislator, public official, or organization whose opinions and actions affect political climate, policies, and laws • Who are some of the “political players” for health care in CT? • State Legislators, Department of Public Health (DPH), insurance companies, Health Care Officials, professional organizations (i.e. CDA)

4. Political Climate for CT RD’s • From a regulatory point of view, DPH does not currently differentiate between “certification” and “licensure” • DPH and previous Governor opposed other Health Professionals’ attempts to gain licensure over the past 2 years • Licensure of other professions has not always been successful: • perceived as an expense by legislators and state agencies, not widely supported in years with budget deficits

5. Political Climate for CT RD’s • In order to protect the public, DPH has a process to submit complaints against health professionals for misconduct or malpractice • Reporting complaints is not limited to licensed professionals (any health care professional can be reported) • Once a claim is submitted, DPH follows a formal investigative process • This process has been established to protect the public (not RDs)

6. DPH Website Reporting a Complaint Consumers and their families may file complaints about health care providers or facilities with the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Health Care Practitioners If your complaint is in regard to care provided by an individual health care practitioner (i.e. doctor, nurse, chiropractor, etc.) you may select this link to access a printable complaint form.  Please complete the form and mail it to the address indicated.  Should you wish to contact the Practitioner Investigations Unit you may email, dial             (860) 509-7552       or fax             (860) 509-7535      .

7. CT Health Care Reform • Focused on collaboration among health care professionals: • All Health Care Providers are fighting to be included, so we need to work together • Medical Home Model and interdisciplinary teams: • potential for efforts to make nutrition interventions "exclusive" to RDs does not fit the “team” model

8. CT Health Care Reform • Medicare regulations accept “licensed or certified in the state the RD practices” for MNT reimbursement • Based on CDA efforts in 2009, RDs (with CD-N) are recognized as providers for MNT and reimbursement • This could change as Health Care Reform progresses – potential for covering “licensed” professionals only

9. National Political Climate • Reimbursement: • The Academy is currently intensively working on Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) negotiations to protect our DIRECT billing rights for Medicare preventative services (cardiac, obesity) • This is a HUGE market and only growing • The Academy supports licensure to define the nutrition expert and most qualified provider of MNT

10. CD-N v. Licensure • major difference is the inclusion of a practice exclusivity clause • CD-N has some scope of practice language, but licensure would prevent others from providing MNT or however we define “nutrition interventions” • Licensure defines what qualifications are required (i.e. RD) to provide MNT • It would not prevent other health professionals from providing general healthy eating/wellness information

11. Next Steps • It is important to make professional connections with other health care professionals and organizations • by working together we can gain greater support and recognition • CDA member involvement • we need YOU to get involved by making those connections and supporting CDA’s public policy efforts

12. THANK YOU!!