01/30/09

Sen. Baucus Recognized with Achievement Award by American Dietetic Association

FOR RELEASE JANUARY 30, 2009

Media contact:  Jennifer Starkey 
800/877-1600, ext. 4802
media@eatright.org

CHICAGO — U.S. Sen. Max Baucus (D.-Mont.) will receive the American Dietetic Association’s top legislative award, the 2009 Public Policy Leadership Award, for his work in nutrition in national health care policy.

“Sen. Baucus played a critical role last year in the passage of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act,” said registered dietitian and ADA President Martin M. Yadrick.  The measure includes provisions that direct Medicare to expand preventive nutrition services. “As chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Baucus’s leadership was crucial to enactment,” Yadrick said.

ADA’s Public Policy Leadership Award is an annual award recognizing a member of Congress for outstanding work in supporting nutrition issues. The award is approved by ADA’s Board of Directors.

ADA has long advocated that Medicare should have and use greater flexibility to expand medical nutrition therapy services beyond the current approved counseling for diabetes and renal diseases.  With new provisions contained in MIPPA, Medicare beneficiaries with conditions such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia or pre-diabetes may soon be eligible for MNT coverage. 

Guided by a philosophy of basing their work on sound information drawn from peer-reviewed nutrition research and credible sources representing scientific consensus, members of the American Dietetic Association are sought-after participants in domestic and international discussions as they work on nearly every aspect of food, nutrition and health.

The American Dietetic Association is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the American Dietetic Association at www.eatright.org.


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