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For Congressional Staff

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Members of the Academy play a key role in shaping the public’s food choices, improving people’s nutritional status, and preventing and treating chronic disease. Academy members are valued for their expertise in translating science and evidence to empower consumers to make healthy choices through education, medical nutrition therapy and intensive behavior therapy.

To achieve its vision of a world where all people thrive through the transformative power of food and nutrition, the Academy works with policy leaders at every level of government to promote health and reduce the burden of chronic disease through nutrition services and interventions.

The resources on this page for congressional offices highlight the Academy’s top policy and advocacy priorities. Please contact our Government Affairs office for information on the Academy’s additional policy and advocacy efforts. 

Child Nutrition Reauthorization

Child Nutrition Programs provide an infrastructure that can be mobilized to improve children's diets and health on a national scale while also improving school attendance, test scores and educational attainment. There is evidence of social and economic benefits of the Child Nutrition Programs that extend into local communities. These include improvements in the diet of other family members, healthier options in the grocery store, economic stimulus to communities, stable customers for American agriculture, job creation and poverty reduction.

Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act of 2023

Diabetes Self-Management Training has been a covered benefit under Medicare for more than 15 years. Despite the undisputed benefits of DSMT for people with diabetes — lower hemoglobin A1c, weight loss, improved quality of life, healthy coping skills and reduced health care costs — only 5% of Medicare beneficiaries with newly diagnosed diabetes used DSMT services. This bill addresses barriers identified by the Academy and our partners in the Diabetes Advocacy Alliance for Medicare beneficiaries to utilize DSMT benefits.

Farm Bill

The Academy is advocating for the 118th U.S. Congress to pass a Farm Bill that maintains the integrity of nutrition assistance programs, ensures vital funding for nutrition education and nutrition research, and improves marketplace, demand and equitable access to nourishing foods.

Medical Nutrition Therapy Act

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics championed the introduction of the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act and is urging members of Congress to cosponsor and support passage of the bill. This bill would allow Medicare beneficiaries to access the care they need by providing coverage for Medical Nutrition Therapy for a variety of chronic conditions under Medicare Part B.

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act

The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act offers clinically- and cost-effective solutions to the obesity epidemic by ensuring that Medicare patients have access to the best possible care at only a fraction of the cost. The bill removes unnecessary barriers, which would allow a variety of qualified practitioners, such as registered dietitians, to effectively treat obesity through Intensive Behavioral Therapy. The bill also authorizes coverage for FDA-approved weight loss medications that complement Intensive Behavioral Therapy.

Join the Academy

Members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics receive exciting benefits including complimentary continuing professional education opportunities, discounts on events and products in eatrightSTORE.org, invitations to exclusive members-only events and more!

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