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WIC Updates Improve Nutrition Security for Program Participants

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) will now align more closely with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and allow food options to meet participants’ dietary needs and choices according to culture, religion, preference, allergies, and/or living situations. The Academy voiced support in the rule-making process for the increased access to healthful foods for women, babies, children and their families made possible in the final rule.

Michigan state flag

Michigan Legislature Passes State Licensure Law

Ten years after the repeal of Michigan’s dietetics and nutrition licensing law, the Michigan Legislature passed legislation to protect the safety of Michiganders by licensing dietitian nutritionists and the practice of medical nutrition therapy. This historic move underscores the commitment of Michigan lawmakers to prioritize the health and well-being of its citizens by ensuring that those seeking medical nutrition therapy services receive accurate, evidence-based care from qualified professionals.

Academy Members Advocate for the Profession on Capitol Hill

Academy policy leaders from across the country gathered Thursday, April 4, in Washington, D.C., to meet with congressional offices to discuss two of the Academy’s top policy priorities: expansion of medical nutrition therapy and nutrition security. Learn more about their efforts and how you can get involved.

Nebraska flag. Nebraska is the first state to pass Dietitian Licensure Compact legislation.

Nebraska Passes Historic Dietitian Licensure Compact Bill

Nebraska’s legislature has passed Dietitian Licensure Compact legislation, paving the way for increased practice opportunities for licensed dietitians in the state as well as across state lines. Nebraska is the first state in the country to pass this groundbreaking legislation.

Academy Advocates for Sustainable Billing Practices for MNT

In a comment letter submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Academy acknowledged the many challenges facility-based providers face in submitting claims for MNT when the service is delivered by registered dietitians from an outpatient facility-based location.

Older couple eating healthfully thanks to nutrition programs.

Academy Priorities Highlighted in Overview to Senate HELP Committee on Older Americans Act

The Academy continues to advocate for Older Americans Act programs, which is the primary vehicle for delivering social and nutrition programs to older adults. On March 19, 2024, the Academy submitted the following for consideration to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Academy Champions Better Network Adequacy and MNT Inclusive Quality Metrics

The Academy advocated for improved network adequacy standards, fair Medicare Advantage rates and the incorporation of RDNs and MNT into quality measures in comments to the CMS regarding the CY 25 Advance Notice for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Programs.

Academy Advocates for Full WIC Funding

One of the Academy’s top advocacy priorities is advocating for federal programs, including WIC, that increase access to nutritious, safe, culturally relevant and affordable foods that improve health and well-being. The Academy supports full funding for WIC to allow all eligible women and children to participate in the program and receive important health and nutrition benefits.

Advocating for Nutrition Security and Improving Parity in Food Distribution Programs

In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s request for input on “Food Distribution Programs: Improving Access and Parity,” the Academy emphasized the importance of USDA and state agencies sharing information, especially on how to access benefits, in multiple formats, such as posting information at community centers, senior centers, schools and community health centers.

Patient with diabetes getting blood sampling done from finger prick.

Academy Advocates for Increased Access to Technology that Supports People with Diabetes

The establishment of a proposed Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System Level II code is a vital step in empowering Medicare beneficiaries to actively engage in their treatment recommendations, addressing their individual health needs, and advancing the Academy’s commitment to health equity and disease treatment and prevention.

Elderly man on Medicaid accepts a food delivery.

Guidance from CMS Addresses Health-related Social Needs Services

CMS aims to provide states with multiple pathways to address health-related social needs. This new guidance aligns with the Academy’s efforts to ensure equitable access to essential services for adequate food, nutrition and quality care.

The US Capitol building. Government Shutdown Averted; Academy Urges Congress to Take Action by Early 2024 Deadlines

Government Shutdown Averted Until Early 2024 Deadlines

Congress averted a government shutdown and President Biden is expected to sign a bipartisan continuing resolution that allows federal agencies to operate through early 2024. While this is a step in the right direction, more work remains to ensure nutrition programs and services are fully funded in the budget.

US Capitol Building represents government, which is not shut down until November 17, if Congress is unable to come to an agreement on the appropriations package.

Government Shutdown Avoided Through November 17

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics urges Congress to take immediate action to pass bipartisan legislation that includes adequate funding for federal programs and services that aim to improve nutrition security, ensure a safe food supply and improve health.

Woman with an eating disorder is getting treatment in the form of medical nutrition therapy, or MNT from a registered dietitian nutritionist, or RDN.,

Advocating for the Mental Health Parity and Nutrition Care

The Academy continues to advocate for equitable coverage for medical nutrition therapy in the treatment of eating disorders, including support for stronger enforcement of compliance with the MHPAEA. Learn more.

Children eating school lunch provided by foodservice staff RDNs

Academy Advocacy Helps Achieve Expanded Access to School Breakfast and Lunch

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the Community Eligibility Provision has been expanded and allows use of existing data from other programs to increase access to healthy foods in more school districts.

Capitol building with yellow tape wrapped around it

In the Event of a Government Shutdown: What You Should Know

The Academy continues advocating to Congress to pass a bipartisan continuing resolution to avoid a pending government shutdown. Here are some short-term effects of a government shutdown, according to agency contingency plans, that may affect nutrition and dietetics practitioners and the communities we serve.

Advocating for Increased Access to MNT and RDN Provided Services

In this year’s proposed rule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services listed several items that will impact registered dietitian nutritionists. Learn more about what the Academy supports and the comments submitted to CMS.

Medicaid Mapping Project Update

The Academy has partnered with The Milken Institute of Public Health at The George Washington University to conduct the “Medicaid Nutrition Coverage Policy Mapping Study." Learn how it will help to advocate for increased access by assessing the current environment for opportunities and gaps.

Advocating for Expanded Access and Competitive Payment for Services Provided by RDNs

In regulatory comments submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Academy advocates for expanded access and competitive payment for RDN-provided services in state Medicaid programs.

Licensure Bill Signed into Law in Nebraska

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed into law the Nebraska Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ scope of practice bill, ensuring only highly qualified nutrition practitioners can provide medical nutrition therapy in Nebraska.

Academy Provides Recommendations on Modernizing WIC

In regulatory comments submitted to the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, the Academy provided input on the request for information and comments on a proposed rule.

Importance of Nutrition in School Meals Highlighted in Academy Recommendations

In regulatory comments, the Academy highlighted the unique skillset and expertise of its members who work every day to serve healthful school meals to students while grappling with continuing challenges intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 PHE Ends May 11

May 11 marks the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, which allowed for regulatory and legislative actions resulting in flexibilities that changed access to telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries and how RDNs can provide telehealth services.

Academy Provides Input to FNS on Community Eligibility Provision, Increasing Options for Schools

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics strongly supports and advocates for healthful school meals. School meals are crucial in alleviating childhood food insecurity, and studies continue to show schools are the healthiest place in the U.S. for children to eat.

Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing Focuses on Nutrition Priorities for 2023 Farm Bill

SNAP was showcased by witness testimony during the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry hearing on April 19, 2023, in preparation for the next Farm Bill.

Academy Strongly Opposes CMS Proposed Change to Malnutrition Diagnosis Affecting Medicare Advantage Payments

The Academy provided feedback and recommendations to the Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for Calendar Year 2024 for Medicare Advantage Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies.

Academy Provides Input to CMS' Quality Payment Program

The Academy continues to support the use of the Nutrition/Dietitian Specialty Measure Set as it is a valuable resource for RDNs to know what quality measures are available for selection for reporting under the Quality performance category.

Valuable Role of RDNs Highlighted in Recommendations to CMS

The Academy highlighted the need for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to fulfill opportunities brought about by the Affordable Care Act to expand equitable access to quality care to all Americans.

Public Health Emergency to End on May 11, 2023

On January 30, 2023, President Biden announced plans to end the Public Health Emergency, effective May 11, 2023.

Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023: Telehealth Provisions and Medicare Payment Adjustments

This update focuses on telehealth and Medicare payment provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (the omnibus).

Academy Responds to FY23 Omnibus Bill

The Academy commends the provisions included in the fiscal year 2023 omnibus, released this week by the 117th U.S. Congress, that support health care and key nutrition security efforts. The Senate’s bill included two Academy priorities: the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Amendment, will positively impact the lives of pregnant and lactating workers.

New USDA Virtual Nutrition Center of Excellence

The USDA's new Agricultural Science Center of Excellence for Nutrition and Diet for Better Health aims to accelerate research on diet-related chronic diseases, including cancer.

Improving Cancer Health Outcomes

Academy Provides Input, Support for National Institutes of Health’s first draft of the report “Nutrition as Prevention for Improved Cancer Health Outcomes."

Licensure Compact Exploration Update

The Academy continues assessing and developing recommendations for a potential new interstate professional licensure compact for registered dietitian nutritionists.

Academy to Explore RDN Licensure Compact

The Academy was selected through a competitive grant process for Department of Defense funding to work with the Council of State Governments' National Center for Interstate Compacts on an interstate licensure compact for the dietetics profession.

National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health Sets Stage for Major Policy Changes

Recommendations incorporated in the policy include free, healthful school meals, a strengthened national commitment to nutrition research, and diversifying the nutrition workforce.

Transformative Farm Bill: Academy Joins Organizations in Advocating to the White House and Congress

The Academy believes a transformative Farm Bill should build on the momentum and robust investments included in the Inflation Reduction Act, and other actions taken by the Biden administration.

Academy Mourns Loss of U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, a True Leader on Nutrition and Hunger Issues

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is saddened to hear of the tragic loss of U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (Ind.) and two members of her staff, Emma Thomson and Zachery Potts.

Importance of MNT and DSMT in Virtual Advocacy Day

The Academy co-hosted a virtual advocacy day with the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists on two priority issues: the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act and the Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act.

Academy Highlights Key Policy Priorities in Recommendations for White House Conference

The Academy urged the White House to "acknowledge the fundamental importance of nutrition by committing to actively pursue, implement and fund policies and programs addressing all social determinants of health."

An Update on Licensure in Florida

An appeal filed in response to the February 18, 2022, ruling upholding Florida's professional licensure law was denied.

Telehealth Provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 public health emergency, many temporary flexibilities to Medicare's telehealth coverage polices would require an act of Congress to make permanent. The first such actions on that front have been taken under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, which was signed into law by President Biden on March 15, 2022.

Funding for Nutrition and Health Programs in FY22 Omnibus Appropriations Bill

The FY22 omnibus appropriations bill signed into law by President Biden includes substantial funds for critical nutrition and health programs.

Update from the Academy on Florida Licensure Case

Update on the Academy's ongoing initiatives related to the decision by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on whether an unlicensed individual’s desire to provide medical counseling implicates free speech rights that override the state of Florida’s ability to require health care professionals to be licensed before practicing.

Academy Unveils Telehealth Stance

To equip the Academy and RDNs to support strong telehealth policies at the state and federal levels, the Academy Board has voted for the adoption of a five-part stance on telehealth policy.

Licensure Update: September 2020

This is an update for nutrition and dietetics practitioners on the Academy's work on licensure, particularly in Florida, since the most recent communication on July 28, 2020.

Florida's New Licensure Law

On June 30, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill updating the state's Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Act, aligning it more closely with the Academy's Model Practice Act.

Florida Governor Signs Licensure Law

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a long-awaited bill updating Florida's dietetics licensure law to align it more closely to the Academy's Model Practice Act.

Academy Statement on Florida Licensure Vote

The Academy is gratified that the Florida Senate and House have passed amended legislation that maintains professional competencies of health care practitioners with expertise in nutrition care services.

ACT now for MNT campaign

ACT Now for MNT Campaign

Passage of the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act would be a win-win for the profession and the communities Academy members serve. Add your support with three simple steps.

Academy Provides Input on Updating WIC Food Packages

The Academy supports the efforts to promote balance and to prioritize dignity with individual choice within the WIC food package.

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