Dear ASPEN Community,
We need your help by December 5th in gaining support for the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act (H.R. 3108 | S. 1536), which was introduced in the 117th U.S. Congress in May of 2021. The companion bills will expand Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) services. Currently, Medicare covers MNT only for individuals with diagnosed diabetes or kidney disease and post-kidney transplant and requires a physician referral. The bill amends the Social Security Act to:
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Provide Medicare Part B coverage for outpatient MNT for individuals with other diseases and conditions, including malnutrition, pre-diabetes, obesity, eating disorders, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hypertension, dyslipidemia, gastrointestinal diseases, cardiovascular disease, and any other conditions causing unintended weight loss;
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Authorize the Secretary of Health to include other diseases based on medical necessity;
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Allow nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, and psychologists to refer patients for MNT.
In today’s environment, with the combining influences of systemic inequalities, food insecurity, reduced access to care and the impact of COVID-19, the need to provide equitable access to medical nutrition therapy is paramount. MNT is an effective solution and is a critically important and cost-effective component for treatment of many chronic conditions.
We are asking all ASPEN members to contact your state legislators and urge them to support the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2021!
SIMPLE TWO STEP PROCESS TO TAKE ACTION:
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Go to www.congress.gov to find out who your Senate or House members are. (Note: Each of the lists provides office phone numbers, email addresses and links to their websites.)
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Use this MNT Letter Template as a basis to create your personal communication.
As a final push before the end of the 2021 calendar year, please contact your legislators this week! Please send your communication by Friday December 5th and help support the MNT Act before the last week of the congressional session ends on December 10th!
A message from The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:
"We urge you to use the resources provided by the Academy to ensure that your elected officials in Washington, D.C. know your views as both voters and nutrition and food professionals. Your activism is extremely important to the success of our agenda."
Members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics have the ability and responsibility to urge consumers and lawmakers to learn about the positive role nutrition plays in promoting and maintaining healthy lifestyles. Nutrition also plays an effective role in disease management and treatment. For both individuals and society, the benefits of eating right and exercising include improved quality of life and lower health care costs.
Participate as a member by raising awareness and urging members of Congress to support important nutrition-related issues.
Meet with your local representative and sign up for action alerts. Action alerts are quick and easy, they take about 30 seconds of your time.
Members can login to the Academy:
https://www.eatrightpro.org/advocacy/take-action/action-center
Consumers can visit: