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Public Policy & Advocacy for MAND Members

Updated August 24, 2026

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As a state affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Massachusetts Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MAND) advocates for policy that aligns with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ mission of improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. https://www.eatrightpro.org/about-us/our-work/public-policy-priorities 

 

MAND’s Vision & Mission

  • Vision: Massachusetts residents will thrive through the transformative power of food and nutrition.

  • Mission: Empower MAND members, through advocacy and education, to serve their communities as nutrition experts.

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MAND’s public policy work supports this mission by influencing state laws and regulations that impact public health and the dietetics profession.

 

Public Policy Panel (PPP)

MAND’s Public Policy Panel (PPP) is made up of elected and appointed members, and collaborates with the Academy’s Government Affairs team to:

  • Track legislation and regulations

  • Submit testimony at public hearings

  • Support public health and professional practice in the state

 

Massachusetts Legislature Overview

  • Officially known as “The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts”

  • Bicameral legislature with 40 senators and 160 representatives

  • Two-year sessions starting in January of odd-numbered years

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MAND monitors bills and budget items affecting:

  • Public health and nutrition services

  • Dietetic licensure and reimbursement

  • Government-funded programs employing RDNs and NDTRs

  • https://malegislature.gov/ 

 

Legislative Advocacy & Hearings

MAND’s Public Policy Panel:

  • Tracks relevant legislation

  • Attends public hearings to offer verbal testimony and submits written testimony

  • Engages members with career expertise to contribute testimony

  • Example: MAND presented testimony before the Joint Committee on Financial Services in support of their bills calling for permanent payment parity for telehealth MNT

 

Day on the Hill - Annual Legislative Event

Held in March during National Nutrition Month®, this event connects MAND members with state legislators to:

 

Public Policy Partnerships 

MAND collaborates with key organizations for strengthen public health policy:

  • Massachusetts Public Health Alliance (MPHA) – promotes equity and systems change

  • Food is Medicine (FIMMA) – focuses on medically-tailored nutrition interventions

  • Massachusetts Food System Collaborative (MFSC) – supports local food systems and access

  • Massachusetts Health Council – advocates for wellness and preventative care

  • These partners issue “action alerts” and help amplify nutrition-related policy efforts across the state.

 

Regulatory Advocacy

In addition to legislation, MAND monitors state regulations from agencies including:

  • Department of Public Health (DPH)

  • Division of Insurance (DOI)

  • Board of Registration of Dietitians and Nutritionists (via Bureau of Health Professions Licensure)

 

These bodies set rules affecting:

 

Dietetic Licensure in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has had dietetic licensure since 1999, thanks to grassroots advocacy by MAND members. The LDN credential ensures only qualified professionals provide nutrition care.

MAND continues to: 

    • Monitor and influence laws and regulations affecting licensure

    • Attend public hearings on telehealth and practice regulations

    • Appoint a Consumer Protection Coordinator (CPC) to represent MAND at meetings of the Board of Registration of Dietitians and Nutritionists, “licensure board”

 

Get Involved in Advocacy

Join MAND’s “grassroots network” to:

  • Receive policy updates and action alerts

  • Participate in monthly PPP calls

  • Contribute your expertise to advocacy efforts

  • Use this Google form to indicate your interest and we will send you emails to personalize and send to your legislators when it is time to make our voices heard

  • https://forms.gle/RESHm7cS9tdMfakNA

 

 

The Academy and Public Policy

As a state affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Massachusetts Academy of
Nutrition and Dietetics (MAND) advocates for policy that aligns with Academy’s mission of
improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research,
education and advocacy.

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Every three years, the Academy updates its public policy goals and advocacy strategies to advance the impact of the Academy in each of the following four strategic focus areas:

  • Well-Being and Prevention

  • Nutrition Security and Food Safety

  • Nutrition Care and Health Systems

  • Diversity and Inclusion

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Available now on eatrightPRO.org, the public policy priorities for 2024-2026 are as follows:

  1. Equitable access to nutrition services provided by qualified practitioners

  2. Federal programs that increase access to nutritious, safe, culturally relevant and affordable foods that improve health and well-being

  3. Evidence-informed, inclusive Dietary Guidelines for Americans that embrace cultural and diverse dietary patterns

  4. Maximize funding for federal nutrition programs and services, workforce diversity initiatives and educational opportunities for health professions

 

Those interested in adding their support to these efforts are encouraged to join the Academy's Advocacy Affinity Groups, which are monthly forum-based events where staff, policy leaders and members connect to discuss advocacy priorities and strategies.

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Policy Initiatives and Advocacy Team

The Academy's Policy Initiatives and Advocacy (PIA) team is located in Washington, DC, where it serves as the Academy’s voice on Capitol Hill. The work of the PIA team complements and supports the work of state affiliates and individual members to promote food and nutrition policies at the national level.

PIA staff members lead the Academy’s consumer protection and licensure efforts and meet with government agencies such as USDA, FDA and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to discuss regulatory issues. They meet with members of Congress to promote nutrition-focused policy and contribute to conferences such as the White House Conference on Huger, Nutrition, and Health and the National Food Policy Conference.

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The PIA team also assists affiliates in reaching out to their members of Congress, known as the “congressional delegation.” The MA congressional delegation includes two U.S. Senators and nine members of the U.S House of Representatives.

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Interested in learning more about nutrition public policy at the federal level? Visit https://www.eatrightpro.org/advocacy 

 

Legislation

U.S. Congress

Each Congress lasts two years, with two one-year sessions. The current 119th Congress began on January 3, 2025 and will end on January 3, 2027. Every new Congress, the Academy works with members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives to find sponsors and cosponsors of bills in line with the Academy’s stated public policy priorities. 

In the current 2025-2026 session, the Academy’s main legislative priorities are:

 

  • Funding critical health and nutrition programs such as SNAP and school meals

  • Advancing a Farm Bill supporting a nourishing, affordable, sustainable food supply

  • Medical Nutrition Therapy Act (MNT Act)

  • Dietitian licensure compact

 

Learn more about the Academy’s main legislative priorities: https://www.eatrightpro.org/advocacy/initiatives

 

Regulation

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

The Academy is working to increase access to medical nutrition therapy for Medicare beneficiaries and has refiled the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act in the 119th Congress. If passed,  the MNT Act would expand coverage of MNT under Medicare Part B to include prediabetes, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, malnutrition, eating disorders, cancer, gastrointestinal diseases, including celiac disease, HIV and AIDS, cardiovascular disease, and any other disease or condition specified by the Secretary related to unintentional weight loss.

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Furthermore, the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act will authorize nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, and psychologists to refer their patients for medical nutrition therapy.

Licensure and Professional Regulation of Dietitians

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The Academy works to support affiliates in the 48 states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico who currently have statutory provisions regulating the dietetics profession or associated titles, such as “licensed dietitian/nutritionist.” It also works with affiliates to continue their efforts to obtain new or strengthen existing licensure provisions.

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Advocacy

Academy Member Advocacy

The Academy calls upon its members to support legislation and issues important to our profession and provides background information and the means for doing so. These include “Action Alerts,” “Take Your Congressperson to Work Day” and Advocacy Days. Members may edit their Academy correspondence subscriber preferences and receive regular e-newsletters, such as Eat Right Weekly and Nutrition and Dietetics SmartBrief. Those interested in public policy and advocacy may also subscribe to Public Policy Weekly News, which provides updates on a wide variety of policy issues.

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Set your email subscriber preferences at: https://www.eatrightpro.org/account/my-academy 

Action Alerts

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“Action Alerts” are sent out by the Academy throughout the year as bills or resolutions supported by the Academy are introduced or up for a vote in the U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives, or, if a government agency is planning to implement or change current regulations. Members are urged to take a few minutes to log into their www.eatrightpro.org account to use the Academy-provided tool, the “Academy Action Center,” to send pre-written electronic letters to their members of Congress.

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Learn more at https://www.eatrightpro.org/advocacy/take-action/action-alerts 

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