Legislation
We've Hired A Lobbyist To Fight For The RD in Idaho
- Our board's Public Policy Committee has worked hard over the past 2 months to procure a lobbying firm, Pinnacle Business Group, LLC (Steve Rector and Tim Olson), to help introduce the licensed, registered dietitian to the legislature and to key decision makers for in Idaho.
- This is a crucial time in health care and we need to ensure that the Registered Dietitians in Idaho are established as the only licensed nutritional professionals to provide nutrition services under the Affordable Care Act. You need to recognize that these things are at stake:
- Providing safe nutrition education to the consumer
- Many jobs for Registered Dietitians in Idaho
- Our credibility as the "Nutrition Expert"
- If we are not in line to take on the opportunities that come out of this health care reform (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), SOMEONE ELSE WILL!
Call for Action:
We need to set up a RD phone tree and will be looking for all of you to participate at one level or another. We need "RD leads" in each legislative district who would be willing to pass on important legislative information to other RD's in their district. Also, there may be times when we need EVERY dietitian in Idaho to write a letter, speak to your legislator, or contribute some other way. Please watch your email and listen to your phone for more details.
Jobs for Registered Dietitians Awarded to Primary Care Physicians
Nutrition counseling for cardiovascular disease and obesity (for Medicare recipients under CMS guidelines) will be conducted under the primary care provider.
- CMS has announced that up to 20 visits to provide nutrition counseling for a obese person.
- One annual counseling visit for the cardiovascular patient will be covered under Medicare services.
- The RD can potentially get a referral to do this counseling, but we must act quickly and position ourselves strategically. Read more here.....
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-rt-medicareobesityn1e7as21t-20111129,0,1475141.story?page=2
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/coveragegeninfo/emailupdates/itemdetail.asp?itemid=CMS1253873
Call for Action:
If you would like to be involved in a workgroup to address how the RD clinicians in Idaho can work with the primary care physicians to provide services to those with obesity and/or cardiovascular disease, please contact: Wendy Rice, MS, RD, LD at wrice@ahcfacilities.com