House Bill Key Piece to Address Nutrition Care Gap in America: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and 60+ Health Organizations Call on Congress to Pass MNT Act

CHICAGO – Reintroduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act is an effective solution to address the costly, continued rise of diet-related chronic diseases in America – many of which can be remedied with medical nutrition therapy (MNT) delivered by a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).

"Despite proven success, medical nutrition therapy continues to be underutilized and under covered across our health care system, including Medicare," said Deanne Brandstetter, MBA, RD, CDN, FAND, the Academy's 2025-26 President. "Currently, Medicare covers MNT for people with kidney disease and diabetes. With this bill, coverage of MNT would expand to include other chronic diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular disease, and Americans will see overall health improvements, from weight management and lower blood pressure to improved blood lipids and blood sugar control."

The Academy and the 64 health organizations listed below, thank U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly (Ill.) and Jen Kiggans (Va.), for introducing the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2025 in the 119th U.S. Congress.

Under the proposed bill, MNT coverage under Medicare Part B would be extended to people with:

• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Dyslipidemia
• Eating disorders
• Gastrointestinal diseases including celiac disease
• HIV/AIDS
• Hypertension
• Malnutrition
• Obesity
• Prediabetes
• Unintentional weight loss

A recent estimate by Avalere found that if expanded MNT services were covered and utilized, the potential reduction in inpatient and outpatient visits could be associated with savings of over $33 million per year.

"America's health is at a crossroads and with the current spotlight on nutrition, the time to act is now," Brandstetter said. "Increasing access to MNT provided by RDNs is a practical, cost-effective way to improve health outcomes, prevent complications and reduce health care spending. It's one of many steps we must take to address the nation's health concerns."

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and 64 supporting health organizations call on the MNT Act to be reintroduced in the U.S. Senate and for the bill's swift passage.

Supporting Organizations

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Aligned Health Practice
Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
American Association on Health and Disability
American College of Lifestyle Medicine
American College of Preventive Medicine
American Gastroenterological Association
American Psychological Association Services
American Society for Nutrition
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists
Berry Street
California Food is Medicine Coalition
Celiac Disease Foundation
Common Threads
Defeat Malnutrition Today
Diabetes Leadership Council
Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition
Dietitian Driven
Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action
Endocrinology Clinic of Minneapolis
Evergreen Health and Wellness, LLC
Fay
Feed the Mass
Flourish Nutrition
FMI - The Food Industry Association
Foodsmart
Gerontological Society of America
Healthcare Nutrition Council
Healthy in the Kitchen, LLC
Healthy Mission Dietitian, Inc.
H-E-B
Hy-Vee, Inc.
Lakeshore Foundation
Lowcountry Street Grocery
MANNA (Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance)
Meals on Wheels America
MNT Reimbursement Specialists, Inc.
MySurgeryPlate LLC
National Association of Hispanic Nurses
National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP)
National Council on Aging
National Kidney Foundation
Neighborly Care Network
Nina's Nutritional Values, LLC
Nutrition Journey
Obesity Action Coalition
Obesity Medicine Association
Open Hand Atlanta
Panhandle Nutrition Therapy
REDC
Rhode Island Nutrition Therapy, LLC
Savor Health
STOP Obesity Alliance
Swap Health
Teaching Kitchen Collaborative
The Community Grocer (TCG Groceries)
The Kroger Co.
The Obesity Society
The Oley Foundation
Trinity Health
Unidos Contra La Diabetes
United Ostomy Associations of America

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Representing more than 112,000 credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org.