Public Policy and Advocacy

ASPEN advocates on behalf of the field of clinical nutrition to drive improvements in clinician experience and patient outcomes. Our scope includes high priority issues pertaining to nutrition support, including working in coalition with other like-minded organizations, as appropriate. Our advocacy objectives include working with the U.S. Congress, the Executive Branch (including HHS, NIH, regulatory agencies, CMS, and AHRQ), public/private groups, and the courts.

Objectives

Improve the quality and safety of all patients/consumers receiving nutrition support

Advocate for fair reimbursement to ensure that beneficiaries of government funded health programs receive the highest quality nutrition support care

Sponsor the concept of a fair marketplace that does not jeopardize the provision of safe and quality nutrition support

Priority Issues

Health Care Reform

Issue to be taken up again in September with bipartisan hearings. 

FDA Reauthorization Act

FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017 (or FDARA). Approved in early August 2017.

The Medicare Part B Home Infusion Services Temporary Transitional Payment Act

The Medicare Part B Home Infusion Services Temporary Transitional Payment Act (HR 3163). The legislation addresses a gap in reimbursement payments for home infusion services under Medicare Part B that was created by the December 2016 enactment of the 21st Century Cures Act (The Cures Act). The bill, introduced in the House of Representatives, would create a temporary transitional payment beginning January 1, 2019, for services related to Part B Durable Medical Equipment (DME) infusion drugs.

Medically Necessary Food Bill Introduced in Congress

Both a Senate Bill S.1194  and a House Bill HR. 2587 were introduced into Congress in late May 2017. The purpose of these pieces of legislation is to provide for the coverage of medically necessary food and vitamins for digestive and inherited metabolic disorders under Federal health programs and private health insurance. Please review these bills and if you wish, reach out to your congressional members to ask them to co-sponsor these bills.

Support for Nutrition in Medical Education

H.R. 1413, Expanding Nutrition's Role in Curricula and Healthcare Act or the ENRICH Act Sponsor: Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13]. This bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration to establish a program of three-year competitive grants to accredited medical schools for the development or expansion of an integrated nutrition and physical activity curriculum. The curriculum must: (1) be designed to improve communication and provider preparedness in the prevention, management, and reversal of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer; and (2) address additional topics regarding individuals in at-risk populations, as practicable, including physical activity and training programs, food insecurity, and malnutrition.

H.R. 1634, EAT for Health Act of 2017 Sponsor: Rep. Grijalva, Raul M. [D-AZ-3]. This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidelines to federal agencies to ensure that federal, full time primary care health professionals have continuing education relating to nutrition. Agencies must annually report information including the extent to which they have adopted and encouraged the guidelines. The continuing education must: (1) include content on the role of nutrition in the prevention, management, and reversal of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or cancer; and (2) meet requirements for continuing medical education or continuing education by medical or nurse practitioner professional organizations or certified accrediting bodies.

 

Advocacy & Public Policy Awards

Barney Sellers Public Policy Award

The Lyn Howard Nutrition Support Consumer Advocacy Award