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Public Policy News

Get updates on advocacy and public policy issues impacting nutrition and dietetics professionals.

Latest Updates

Capitol building with yellow tape wrapped around it

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

The federal government faces a potential shutdown if funding isn't secured by the midnight deadline. Academy staff are monitoring this situation and Academy consultants in Washington, D.C., are actively engaging with members of Congress to emphasize the critical ramifications a shutdown will have on Academy members and health care systems along with federal nutrition programs.

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CMS Payment System Rule Acknowledges RDNs' Role in Hospital Care

The Academy’s advocacy has resulted in significant wins for the profession and quality care in the payment system that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) uses to reimburse hospitals for inpatient services. The final rule included three specific positive outcomes for nutrition and dietetics professionals related to payment models, expanded quality measures for malnutrition and star ratings.

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CMS Acknowledges Academy's Malnutrition Concerns in Skilled Nursing Facility Rule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services acknowledged the substantial feedback from the Academy, registered dietitian nutritionists and stakeholders regarding the proposed removal of malnutrition and "at risk for malnutrition" from the Non-Therapy Ancillary (NTA) comorbidities list in a recent Request for Information located within the CY25 Skilled Nursing Facility Proposed Rule.

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Academy Champions Access to RDNs and Nutrition Metrics in Organ Transplants Model

Registered dietitian nutritionists are included as collaborators in the newly proposed Increasing Access to Organ Transplants (IOTA) Model, but the Academy is advocating for more integration of nutrition care. The Academy’s recommendations focus on developing metrics that ensure access to medical nutrition therapy and support patient adherence to dietary and supplement guidance provided by RDNs.

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Academy Advocates for Continued Recognition of Malnutrition in Proposed Skilled Nursing Rule

The Skilled Nursing proposed rule, issued by CMS, outlines regulatory changes and updates for skilled nursing facilities, covering reimbursement rates, quality measures and policies related to Medicare payments and services in the skilled nursing and long-term care settings. In response to a Request for Information included in the proposed rule, the Academy advocated for continued inclusion of malnutrition and at-risk malnutrition in the NTA Classification List. 

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State flag of Iowa, where Academy members advocated to maintain dietetic licensure in the state.

Licensure Retained in Iowa Thanks to Affiliate’s Advocacy Efforts

The Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics successfully advocated to maintain dietetic licensure in the state. The national Academy supports professional licensure for dietitians to protect the public by enforcing objective standards in qualifications and regulation of practice and was pleased to partner with the Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to achieve this win for RDNs and all Iowans.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!