Congress has voted to override the President's veto of the Medicare bill that contains language to expand Medical Nutrition Therapy coverage. This wonderful news has been a long time coming, but important things often take a long time. Changing Medicare coverage takes an entire team of dedicated people, and a lot of people –- members and ADA's Headquarters Team alike –- worked very hard on this issue. Millions of Medicare beneficiaries' lives will be enriched as a result of this bill.
Still, while overriding the President's veto is a major step forward in expanding MNT coverage under Medicare, it is just that: one step forward. It does not represent the end of this battle. The legislation that passed yesterday establishes a process by which Medicare can review coverage of MNT and expand it to certain areas that prevent the progression of a chronic condition.
The bill goes into effect in January 2009. ADA will be working between now and then with Medicare to ensure that the coverage is maximized. In the next few days, ADA will post more detailed information on the bill's provisions. Visit:
http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/advocacy.html
To everyone who played a part in getting the bill passed –- all those who have attend the Public Policy Workshop since 2000, who sent letters and e-mails to the Congress, who have served on the Legislative and Public Policy Committee, ADAPAC and the ADA's Board of Directors, my deep and sincere thanks.