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 Please send your RDNews comments, suggestions & questions to Judy Morgan, MBA, RD | |
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Greetings!
This week we glean from two of our HMC RDs Jennifer Hirsch and Sonja Lorraine who spent a day at the state capitol hearing about dietetics and public policy. |
Dietetics and Public Policy |
 Jennifer Hirsch, RD
I had the opportunity to attend the 1st annual NADA (Northern Area Dietetic Association) breakfast at the State Capitol with Sonja Lorraine and hear all about current policy related to Dietetics. We were able to hear from speakers like Richard Figueroa, Health Policy Advisor to the Governor, Lorri Holzberg, President Elect for CDA, and Jeanne Blankenship, ADA Legislative Public Policy Committee Chair, Bariatric and Weight Management Dietitian at UCDMC. The dietitians present were able to listen about current public policy and had the chance to advocate for our profession in needed areas. This was an opportunity for those working on policy to hear about our current practice and goals to provide RD expertise.
Two items on the table for discussion were lobbying for licensure of RD's (a hot topic for quite some time) and updating the Business and Professions Code for 2068, 2585, and 2586. Current law regulates that RD's may perform nutritional screens, assessments, and recommendations, but it is the physician that must order the intervention for the patient. RD privileging for this practice is not permitted in California due to lack of licensing and an oversight board. Current language written in the Business and Professions Code is confusing and has led to citations by CMS for certain dietetic practices found to be outside of our scope. CDA has hired a Health Policy Attorney, Elizabeth Saviano, JD to represent CDA's goals and she is working on revamping the language.
CDA's goals for 2011 include the following:
Make California law more consistent with federal regulations Make California law more consistent with national dietetics practice framework Provide clarity for regulators, practitioners, and the public Reduce the number of hospital citations that are due to unclear regulatory requirements
Establish the basis for licensure of Registered Dietitians. Currently there are 36 states licensed |
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RD Tip |
 Sonja Lorraine, RD, HR DirectorWHAT CAN YOU DO? * Spread the word about the benefits of licensure for RD's in the state of CA
* Attend meetings and support local CDA/ADA/Practice Groups that will help introduce this into legislation
* Know your legislators; gain their support with the help of networking. There will be an election this fall so keep close watch on any change in positions.
WHAT THIS SUPPORT CAN DO FOR RDs:
* Support and increased awareness (like the opportunity we had at this meeting) to help legislators move forward with updating the Business and Professions code. This will provide a better definition for our scope of practice and title protection.
* Create a governing board for RD's State Licensure to have medical privileges to write orders/provide Medical Nutrition Therapy.
* CDA has created a new position called State Regulatory Representative and is currently looking for a volunteer for the position. This position would be responsible for making sure RDs are included in nutrition related policies such as Health Reform. There is some training available from ADA and CDA. The rest will be learn-as-you-go.
WHERE TO FIND MORE? (click on logos below)
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| Dear Dietitian; |
I encourage you, as the nutrition expert, to support our profession by attending a Public Policy event, workshop, or meeting. Even if it is a bit foreign to you, it may spark an interest you did not know you had or possibly continue your passion. We can make a difference!
Judy Morgan, MBA, RD HMComposite |
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Registered Dietitian Newsletter
