HIV/AIDS Dietetic Practice Group (DPG) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), a professional organization of Registered Dietitians (RD) and Dietetic Technicians Registered (DTR) providing medical nutrition therapy (MNT) to people living with HIV/AIDS (PWA, PLWHA).

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Need for HIV Medical Nutrition Therapy

What is Medical Nutrition Therapy?

Medical nutrition therapy refers to specific nutrition procedures including assessment and interventions in the treatment of an illness, injury or disease condition. Medical nutrition therapy procedures define the level, content and frequency of nutrition services that are appropriate for optimal care and nutrition outcomes. There are several components to medical nutrition therapy. Screening may be completed by a registered dietitian (RD), dietetic technician registered (DTR), or other healthcare professional. The RD generally initiates the medical nutrition therapy service. The nutrition care process includes assessment, establishment of client's self-management goals, development of a nutrition plan, documentation, communication with the primary care provider, evaluation and reassessment, and outcomes measurements.

Why is medical nutrition therapy important to HIV infected persons?

Nutrition is a life sustaining treatment. Good nutrition is important in building and maintaining the immune system. Achieving nutritional health and preventing malnutrition are essential in maintaining good health for people living with HIV. The major goals of HIV medical nutrition therapy are:

  1. To optimize nutrition status, immunity and overall well being.
  2. To prevent specific nutrient deficiencies.
  3. To prevent loss of weight and lean body mass.
  4. To maximize the effectiveness of medical and pharmacological treatments.
  5. To minimize health care costs.

Research shows that medical nutrition therapy saves lives, reduces morbidity, improves health outcomes, and reduces healthcare costs and patients' length of hospital stay. There is growing appreciation toward nutrition as an important component in medical care, however lack of coverage by health care plans is the major barrier to the publics' access to medical nutrition therapy. A major breakthrough recently occurred when Congress passed a bill providing Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy for diabetes or renal (predialysis) diseases. Congress is now considering an amendment to cover cardiovascular disease.

What can you do to help?

In addition to medical nutrition coverage for cardiovascular disease, coverage for HIV medical nutrition therapy is also critical. Congress must hear from the HIV affected communities for action to occur. Contact your Federal legislators and educate them on why medical nutrition therapy is vital to successful HIV medical care. Tell them to support the amendment to cover cardiovascular disease (HR 2117 / S 960) and that you also want them to introduce a bill that would cover medical nutrition therapy for HIV.

Sample Letter -- This link shows a sample letter that you may copy and personalize for your own use. See below for more information on what to say and who to contact.

How to Communicate with Legislators

Most Effective
  • Personal Letter
  • Personal Visit
Effective
  • Telephone Call
Least Effective
  • Form Letter
  • E-Mail Message

What to Say
  1. If the legislator you are writing was a cosponsor of the Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 1999 (HR 5661), thank them! Acknowledge that the inclusion to cover diabetes and renal disease in HR 5661 and its passage is important and very appreciated.
Check these lists to see whether he/she was a cosponsor:



  1. Emphasize that HIV medical nutrition therapy also needs to be included in Medicare under part B and their continued efforts are needed.
  1. Give examples of why nutrition is vital in HIV medical care, how it will optimize positive health outcomes and minimize health complications and will ultimately cut health care costs.
  1. Thank them again and urge for their support to include HIV medical nutrition therapy as a Medicare benefit under part B.
Who to Contact
A. Your Representatives
The most powerful contacts you can make are with your own legislators.  Each US citizen (except those in Washington DC) is represented in Congress by:
  1. One member in the United States House of Representatives
  2. Two members in the United States Senate
To identify your legislator, go to www.congress.org, enter your home zip code and click "Go."
B. Congressional Leaders

All Members of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee
All Members of the Senate Finance Committee

Nancy Johnson, CT
Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee

Ms. Johnson was the sponsor of the Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act for the 105th and the 106th Congressional Sessions. She understands the value of medical nutrition therapy and how it will save money, and she has worked hard to strengthen Medicare and assure passage of Medicare medical nutrition therapy.

Web Site www.house.gov/nancyjohnson/
E-mail ct06@legislators.com
Phone (202) 225-4476
Fax (202) 225-4488
D.C. Address 2113 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-0706
District Office New Britain
District Phone (860) 223-8412
Bill Thomas, CA
Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee (R-CA)
Web Site www.house.gov/billthomas/
E-mail ca21@legislators.com
Phone (202) 225-2915
Fax (202) 225-8798
D.C. Address 2208 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-0521
District Office Bakersfield
District Phone (661) 327-3611
Charles B Rangel, NY
Ranking Democrat of the House Ways and Means Committee
Web Site www.house.gov/rangel
E-mail ny15@legislators.com
Phone (202) 225-4365
Fax (202) 225-0816
D.C. Address 2354 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-3215
District Office New York
District Phone (212) 663-3900
Michael Bilirakis, FL
Chair of the House Commerce Health Subcommittee
Web Site www.house.gov/bilirakis/
E-mail fl09@legislators.com
Phone (202) 225-5755
Fax (202) 225-4085
D.C. Address 2269 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-0909
District Office Clearwater
District Phone (727) 441-3721


Copyright © 2000-2007 HIV/AIDS Dietetic Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association, All Rights Reserved.

This web site is provided as a public service by the HIV/AIDS Dietetic Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association. The information on this web site is not intended to replace medical advice. Individuals should contact a registered dietitian to answer food and nutrition-related questions or for nutrition services. The entire contents and design of this web site is the property of the HIV/AIDS Dietetic Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association. No text or image on this web site may be copied for any purpose whatsoever without prior written consent of the HIV/AIDS Dietetic Practice Group and the American Dietetic Association.

Please direct questions, comments, or suggestions for improvement regarding this website to infoservices@hivaidsdpg.org.