Legislation and Public Policy

What NCDA members need to know.  

“If dietetics is your profession, politics is your business”   --  The American Dietetic Association. 

It does not matter what your professional expertise is or where you work -- what you do is impacted by the political process.  As food and nutrition professionals we need to have a role in shaping the rules, regulations and funding for our positions.  This means being registered voters and participating in the democratic process at all levels.  Food and nutrition-related legislation does not happen without support.  It requires effort and coordination at the federal, state and local level. 

Both ADA and NCDA have established organizational units to help members become actively involved in public policy.  The ADA Public Policy Committee consists of individual ADA members who have experience in public policy and determine the priority areas.  We are represented in Washington, DC, by paid staff who coordinate policy and actively lobby members of the US Congress.  They also provide much information, training, support and guidance to ADA affiliate groups such as NCDA.   Individual states have set up Public Policy Panels to support and coordinate activities at the state and local levels.   Here in North Carolina, our Public Policy Panel includes:

  • Public Policy Coordinator (PPC)  -- coordinates activities at the affiliate level for federal legislation and relationships and  organizes affiliate public policy panel work under the direction of the NCDA president.

 

  • State Policy Representative (SPR) – coordinates state public policy priorities and ensures that affiliate stance is consistent with ADA’s.

 

  • State Regulatory Specialist (SRS)  - tracks state regulatory issues of importance to NCDA members and oversees the affiliate’s response to emerging opportunities and challenges.

 

  • Reimbursement Representative (RR) – provides members with information and guidance regarding federal, state and private insurance codes and coverage resources.

 

  • NCDA Delegate – identifies ADA issues important to NCDA membership and informs members about Association activities, programs and services as well as House of Delegate initiatives.

 

  • NCDA President  - sets the direction for NCDA and represents the Association in official business.

 

  • NCDA President-Elect – works with the President to plan and organize Association activities

The NCDA Public Policy Panel in turn provides further information, training, support and guidance to our Districts through their officers and the Legislative Liaisons.   To find the names and contact information for the above positions, check the list of current Board Members.

The current Public Policy Priority Areas for the American Dietetic Association are:

  • Aging
  • Child Nutrition
  • Food and Food Safety
  • Health Literacy and Nutrition Advancement
  • Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy and Medicare/Medicaid
  • Nutrition Monitoring and Research
  • Obesity/Overweight/Healthy Weight Management

More information on all of the above issues and guidance on how to take action can be found at following site:    www.eatright.org/advocacy.

ADA Members may also subscribe to the weekly newsletter “ADA Eat Right Weekly”, which is available free at the above website.

Information about issues specific to North Carolina can be found in the following links.

Navigating the US Congress

Working with the North Carolina General Assembly

What Can NCDA members do?