Policy Update Mary Pat Raimondi MS RD Vice President Strategic Policy and Partnerships

Policy Update

Mary Pat Raimondi MS RDVice President

Strategic Policy and Partnerships

What is on the Hill

– 2012 Farm Bill Reauthorization

– Older American’s Act Reauthorization

– MNT/ Prediabetes Coverage

– Drug/TPN Shortages

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Farm Bill…Why Do We Care

• The Farm Bill influences what consumers purchase and eat

• Shapes our diets

• Where is our food coming from…field to table

• We promote good nutrition and food most often is the vehicle

Assumptions

• Americans should have access to safe healthy food

• The safety of the US food supply should remain a top priority of the US government

• Food policy matches health policy

Academy Position-Process

• ADA Legislative and Public Policy Committee (LPPC) research the issue with a member committee- Karen Ehrens

• Matched discussion with core values

• DPG input

• Web presentations from experts

• JADA Journal articles

• Weekly conference calls

Key Discussion Points

• Dietary Goals vs. reality-Not hitting the mark on goals

• Only 1/3 eat what we recommend and not getting better

• Fresh fruits and vegetables increased by almost 40%, price of fats and sugars declined

• Choice in SNAP Benefits• Food deserts

Recommendations

1. Protect SNAP, TEFAP and CSFP2. Maintain current funding for the Fresh

Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program

3. Ensure funding for a variety of community-based and regional agriculture

4. Maintain funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grants

5. Maintain funding for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

6. Support farm practices and policies that conserve soil, water, air, habitat and biodiversity, foods

Income Spent On Food

Calories Per Dollar Spent

250

875

170

1200

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Carrots Sweetened softdrinks

Orange Juice Chips/cookies

Drewnowski A, University of Washington

2012 Farm Bill Reauthorization

• Set to be reauthorized before Memorial Day

• Key leaders• Senator Stabenow (D-MI) – Chairwoman

• Senator Roberts (R-KS) – Ranking member

• Congressman Lucas (R-OK) – Chairman

• Congressman Peterson (D-MN) – Ranking Member

• Members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees

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Older Americans Act Reauthorization

• Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) – Chairman of Primary Health and Aging Subcommittee

• January 23rd – Designated date of introduction

• Targets• Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pension (HELP)

Committee

• Policy focus • Meals on Wheels Program• Congregate Dining Program

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OAA Reauthorization Continued

• Passed to address inadequate community social services for older persons.

• Major emphases was nutrition two programs were created: • congregate dining • home delivered meals

• Important access to healthy food options major vehicle for social and nutrition services to this group

• Often a group overlooked13

MNT/Prediabetes Coverage (HR 2741)

• This bill will allow RD’s to be reimbursed through Medicare/Medicaid for providing MNT to individuals with pre-diabetes.

• Targets • Energy & Commerce Committee• The Diabetes Caucus • GOP Doctors Caucus

• Prime Sponsors • Congresswoman DeGette (D-CO) • Congressman Whitfield (R-KY)

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MNT/Prediabetes Continued

• Problem • 79 million people are pre-diabetic • $174 billion/year = Cost of Diabetes to the

system • Treating someone with diabetes = $11,744• Treating someone without diabetes = $6,649• Nutrition-related diseases associated with

diabetes include: stroke, heart disease, blindness, kidney disease and amputation

• MNT is effective • As part of the National Diabetes Prevention

Program, MNT showed a 58 percent reduction in patients developing type-2 diabetes

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Drug/TPN Shortages (HR 2245/S 296)

• Require drug companies to notify the government of drug discontinuances or interruptions that would result in a shortage.

• Targets • Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pension

(HELP) Committee• House Energy & Commerce Committee –

Health Subcommittee

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