Angie Craig: “Today Senator Bingaman and I join to introduce a very important piece of legislation, the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act.…”

“Today Senator Bingaman and I join to introduce a very important piece of legislation, the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act. This bill simply expands Medicare Part B coverage to give seniors access to medical nutrition therapy services by registered dietitians and other nutrition professionals. Currently there is no direct coverage for services provided by registered dietitians, and, because they are uniquely qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy, beneficiaries are essentially denied access to this cost effective and efficacious form of care. Nutrition is one of the most basic elements of life. From the moment we are born to the moment we die, nutrition plays a critical role. It influences how we grow, how our brain develops, how we feel, and how our bodies prevent and fight disease. For decades we have known that nutrition can influence the most serious life threatening diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol. Experts have proven that proper nutrition may not only help prevent disease, but also is central to controlling and treating disease. Medical nutrition therapy plays a major role in treating some of the most threatening illnesses. It significantly improves the quality of life of seriously ill patients.”