DMA - Dietary Managers Association

On the evening of March 21, the House of Representatives passed HR 3590, the Senate’s version of comprehensive health care reform legislation, by a vote of 219-212. All 178 Republicans and 34 Democrats voted no. Importantly for DMA members, the Senate bill (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) approved by the House does not contain the HR 1636 “Safe Food for Seniors” amendment that was in the original House health care reform bill HR 3962 (America’s Affordable health Choices Act) that passed last fall.

After passing HR 3590, the House then passed an accompanying package of revisions (HR 4872) by a vote of 220-211. Once the President signs HR 3590 into law on March 23, the Senate will take up HR 4872 as a budget “reconciliation” bill which will shield it from being filibustered (i.e., needing 60 votes for passage). Among other things, HR 4872 would revise penalties for people who don’t buy insurance, impose fines on employers of 50 or more full-time workers if the employer does not provide health insurance coverage, and strike deals in the Senate bill such as the “Cornhusker Kickback” that would have the federal government pay the costs of Medicaid coverage for newly eligible beneficiaries in Nebraska. Please note, however, that this bill also does not contain “Safe Food for Seniors” because it’s revenue-neutral and, therefore, does not qualify to be included under reconciliation rules.

Because Safe Food for Seniors is non-controversial and enjoys bipartisan support, prospects for it to be included in another bill are good. There is also the possibility that Congress will take up a health care corrections bill several months down the road to tweak the bill signed into law and that could be a vehicle for DMA’s amendment as well. These are just a couple of the strategies that DMA members discussed when speaking with congressional offices during DMA’s recent Day at the Capitol, and those messages were well received! It's important to stress that just because our bill is not part of healthcare reform, our hard work has not been in vain. Our active pursuit of safe food for seniors means that legislators on Capitol Hill are familiar with and supportive of our initiatives and will hopefully find another way to see our goals met.

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Annual Meeting

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DMA's 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting & Expo, July 4-8th, 2010. Celebrate with us in Chicago! Click for:

CDM's Role in Nutrition Care

Since the release of updated guidance from CMS, which took effect Sept. 1, 2008, DMA members as well as related health professionals have been asking questions about role delineation and what the CDM, CFPP is qualified and authorized to do. Click on the links below to read more about the CMS response and nutrition care tools.

Attention, DMA Chapter Leaders

A new offering is now available through the Meeting in a Box Program. National Pasteurized Eggs is offering an educational session titled, Turning the Tables: Culture Change in LTC. This session can help you plan your next chapter meeting program!

New Salary Details!

The average full-time salary for a DMA member is $42,786. Results of the DMA 2008 Salary and Benefits Survey are in.
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From networking to education to the online Member Community, how well do you know your member benefits? Take a tour!
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August 2010 Special - NUT: Managing Diabetes Today
Is glycemic index still a mystery to you? Wondering how to count carbohydrates? How to handle a hypoglycemic episode? What to do when meals are delayed? Or how to feed a client with diabetes who is ill? This title is packed with advice from a Registered Dietitian, and will help you tackle common questions, with background on types of diabetes and the ins and outs of MNT. 3 hrs CE. Purchase in the DMA Marketplace! >>

Credentialing Exam

The 2010 CDM, CFPP Credentialing Exam will be offered March 27 and October 30. The complete brochure with the exam application is now available (PDF file) >>

Featured CE - Webinar

Purchase files from the webinar, Nutrition Care - Scope of Practice for the CDM (Nov 12, 2009) – now available in the DMA Marketplace! Becky Rude, MS, RD, CDM, CFPP facilitated the discussion by reviewing CMS guidelines, CDM, CFPP Scope of Practice, and discuss tools provided by DMA to both the CDM and RD in assigning roles for client nutrition care. Earn 2 hrs CE.

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