MNT Act Would Make Nutrition Care Accessible to Seniors
Passage of the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act would be a win-win for the profession and the communities Academy members serve. If the MNT Act is passed, Academy members would receive more opportunities for reimbursement while also addressing the gap in care for our country’s seniors who only have access to MNT for diabetes and renal disease — a crucial step needed to achieve health equity for racial and ethnic minority populations. Take the MNT Act action alert HERE.
Organization and Business Support Sought for Congressional MNT Act Communication
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is seeking organizations at the local, state and national level to sign on to letters to House and Senate committee leaders in support of the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023 (H.R. 6407/S.3297). The MNT Act would increase access beyond diabetes and renal disease and would make it easier for providers to refer for services. Currently, over 55 organizations support the legislation. Members can encourage their organizations to sign on or add their own businesses to the letter by filling out the form with the required information by August 30.
Thank Minnesota Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar for meeting virtually with Academy advocates!
On 7/18 Academy advocates met virtually with their Senators to advocate for two priority issues: Medical Nutrition Therapy Act and the Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act. Minnesota advocates met virtually with Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar. Both Sen Klobuchar and Smith co-sponsor the DSMT bill, but neither have signed onto the MNT Act. So, now it is time to follow-up to thank them for meeting with advocates and remind them of these priority policy issues.
Emailing details:
Send a communication to the staff member, if possible, copy Jeanne Blankenship on the email: jblankenship@eatright.org.
Email for Senator Klobuchar: ruth_mcdonald@klobuchar.senate.gov
Email for Senator Smith: rachel_fybel@smith.senate.gov
Here is an email template to get you started. Please replace all [bracketed information]:
Subject Line: Support for the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act (S. 3297)
Dear Senator [Klobuchar or Smith],
My name is [NAME], and I am a constituent of Senator [Klobuchar or Smith]. I want to express my gratitude for your meeting with Minnesota Nutrition Professionals on July 18th to discuss the importance of the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act (S. 3297). I am writing to encourage your continued support for this critical legislation.
I am a [registered dietitian nutritionist/student/
The MNT Act would increase access to nutrition care for seniors with chronic diseases for which there is scientific evidence that the interventions improve health outcomes. This bill will improve the lives of our citizens and reduce the need for more costly interventions.
I respectfully urge Senator [Klobuchar or Smith] to cosponsor the MNT Act (S. 3297) and help advance it in the Senate. Please feel free to reach out to me if you need any additional information.
I also want to thank you for co-sponsoring S. 1832, the Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act. This bill promotes equitable access to essential diabetes education. Your support for this legislation is deeply appreciated.
Best Regards,
[NAME]
[City/State]
[Affiliate or DPG position if appropriate]
About MAND
Minnesota Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MAND) is an affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. We are the largest professional organization of nutrition health professionals in Minnesota, dedicated to optimizing Minnesotans' health through food and nutrition.