American Dietetic Association to Hold Public Policy Workshop in Washington, March 23-25

3/15/2004

From: Lori Ferme, 800-877-1600, ext. 4802, Tom Ryan, 800-877-1600 ext. 4894, or Ronald Smith, 800-877-0877, all of the American Dietetic Association, media@eatright.org

News Advisory:

WHAT: American Dietetic Association's Public Policy Workshop

WHEN: March 23-25, 2004

WHERE: Capital Hilton, 1001 16th St. N.W., Washington, D.C.

WHO: Lester Crawford, acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, will be among the speakers at the American Dietetic Association's Public Policy Workshop, ADA's annual member update on legislative and policy issues in the fields of food and nutrition. Senators, members of Congress and expert dietetics professionals will also be among the speakers.

More than 300 dietetics professionals from all parts of the country will attend ADA's conference, addressing current and upcoming public policy issues in ADA's priority areas: aging, child nutrition, Medicare reimbursement of medical nutrition therapy and Medicare reform, nutrition monitoring and research, obesity and state legislative and policy issues.

Scheduled speakers include (all times Eastern):

Tuesday, March 23

-- 1 p.m.: Opening remarks by Marianne Smith Edge, MS, RD, FADA, president of the American Dietetic Association

Wednesday, March 24

-- 9 a.m.: Lester Crawford, acting commissioner, Food and Drug Administration

-- 11:15 a.m.: U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), speaking on the fiscal year 2005 federal budget and how it affects nutrition issues (invited)

-- Noon: U.S. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), newly appointed Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, speaking on nutrition issues now pending before the committee, whose areas of responsibility include Medicare, health-care financing, food and water safety and pharmaceuticals and prescription drugs.

Thursday, March 25

-- 8:30 a.m.: U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), speaking about nutrition issues currently before the Senate. Note: This session will take place in Room G50 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

-- ADA members meet throughout the day with Senators and Congressmen.

Speakers and times are subject to change. For more information and a complete agenda, call the American Dietetic Association at 800-877-1600, ext. 4822 or 4894 (Chicago headquarters); or 800-877-0877 (Washington, D.C., office). With nearly 70,000 members, ADA is the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The American Dietetic Association serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being. Visit ADA at http://www.eatright.org.