LICENSURE Presentation

1. LICENSURE Presentation 1

2. LICENSURE Past attempts Definitions Pros & Cons VA Code vs. Rules & Regs Political Process � Be Involved Talking Points VDA PAC � What & Why Questions 2

3. LICENSURE What is Licensure DEFINITIONS: Licensed: Has been legally granted the authority to practice a profession. State level Registered: Officially recorded or enrolled; legally certified or authenticated. National level 3 From Webster's, we see a difference between registered � what we are now and licensed � which is what we need in Virginia. Also to note are the authenticating body for each type: state vs. CDR From Webster's, we see a difference between registered � what we are now and licensed � which is what we need in Virginia. Also to note are the authenticating body for each type: state vs. CDR

4. LICENSURE Pros Licensure defines the dietetic professionals as qualified to provide MNT Provides a legal Scope of Practice for dietitians Licensure protects the public from harm by guaranteeing minimum qualifications Licensure will reduce the confusion over titles 4

5. LICENSURE Pros Assure Physicians their patients will receive sound nutrition advice Easier to �fit� into the current health care credentialing system Join our allied health professionals on the medical team Provide future dietitians at UVA, VCU/MCVH, VSU, VT, JMU, Radford, Norfolk State Univ, VA Dept of Health an equal level of professionalism as 46 other states 5

6. LICENSURE Cons Not an automatic raise Does Not automatically allow LDs to write orders Will Not automatically enroll LDs as providers with insurance companies Will Not prevent non LDs from talking about good nutrition Will incur licensure fees 6 Please don�t expect your employer to automatically give you a raise! Statistics don�t bear out this fact. Your employer may pay for the licensing fees, however and if not, you should advocate for that. This will not automatically allow LDs to write orders. Dietitians should petition their Medical governing body at your hospital, clinic or medical facility for privileges. Licensure will give us more negotiating power when we ask for privileges in our facility. As is the same with insurance providers. And, it will not prevent magazine articles or salespersons or weight loss centers from helping people be aware of better nutrition for healthier bodies. Please don�t expect your employer to automatically give you a raise! Statistics don�t bear out this fact. Your employer may pay for the licensing fees, however and if not, you should advocate for that. This will not automatically allow LDs to write orders. Dietitians should petition their Medical governing body at your hospital, clinic or medical facility for privileges. Licensure will give us more negotiating power when we ask for privileges in our facility. As is the same with insurance providers. And, it will not prevent magazine articles or salespersons or weight loss centers from helping people be aware of better nutrition for healthier bodies.

7. LICENSURE VA Code Definitions Criteria Governing Board Scope of Practice Title/Term Protection 7

8. LICENSURE Rules & Regulations Fees CE Requirements Reciprocity Renewals Further explanations 8

9. LICENSURE VA Code Definitions: General Non Medical Nutrition Information means information on the following: Principles of good nutrition and food preparation; Food to be included in the normal daily diet; The essential nutrients needed by the body; Recommended amounts of the essential nutrients, based on established standards; The actions of nutrients on the body; The effects of deficiencies or excesses of nutrients; or Food and supplements that are good sources of essential nutrients. 9

10. LICENSURE VA Code Governing Board Virginia Department of Health Professions The Virginia Department of Health Professions is the state agency responsible for licensing health professionals and enforcing standards of practice. Each of the health regulatory boards is responsible for determining which applicants meet the necessary requirements for licensure, certification and registration. The health regulatory boards are also responsible for promulgating the regulations which are necessary to govern the professions they regulate. 10

11. LICENSURE VA Code Governing Board Virginia Department of Health Professions There are currently 13 Health Regulatory Boards (in parentheses is the number of licensees under each Board): Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (3470) Physical Therapy (8904) Social Work (6761) Medicine (64300) Athletic Trainer (1076) Licensed Midwife (55) Occupational Therapist (2759) Physician Assistant (2170) Respiratory Care Practitioner (3683) 11

12. LICENSURE VA Code Scope of Practice and Title Protection � Draft Language � 54.1-2956.14. Licensure of dietitians; unlawful designation as dietitian. It shall be unlawful for a person to practice or to hold himself out as practicing as a dietitian unless he holds a license as such issued by the Board. Only licensed dietitians may engage in the nutrition care process and medical nutrition therapy, except when otherwise permitted by this chapter. The practice of dietetics does not include medical differential diagnosis of the health status of an individual. 12

13. LICENSURE Rules & Regulations � 54.1-2956.17. Requirements for Medical Nutrition Therapy and medical laboratory tests. The Board shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to allow a licensed dietitian, upon referral by a health care provider authorized to prescribe dietary treatments, to: (i) provide medical nutrition therapy for individuals or groups of patients in licensed institutional facilities or in private office settings; (ii) accept or transmit verbal orders or electronically transmitted orders from the referring prescriber; and (iii) order medical laboratory tests related to nutritional therapeutic treatments when authorized to do so by a written protocol prepared or approved by the referring physician 13

14. LICENSURE Political Process � The Licensure Bill Input from Health Professional Groups � Summer Visit your Legislator � tell them about Licensure Input from VA Retailers and Merchants Assn and National Federation of Independent Businesses Re-Word the Bill as necessary ADA approval Finalize bill & submit to legislative drafting � Fall 14

15. LICENSURE Political Process � The Licensure Bill Find a Sponsor after November Introduced GA January 2012 Referred to committee House � Health, Welfare and Institutions Senate � Education and Health Read 3 times, public comments accepted, amendments possible 15

16. LICENSURE Political Process � The Licensure Bill Crosses over; same process repeated Whole House and Senate vote Enrolled Governor signs the Bill Effective first day of July following GA adjournment 16

17. LICENSURE Political Process � Be Involved Visit Legislators Town Halls District offices Lobby Day January 18, 2012 November elections � all 140 seats up for vote New committee assignments in January 17

18. Licensure  State Policy Representative 2011-2012 Beth Davis : bjosephsRD@aol.com DISTRICT LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES Blue Ridge: Viola Holmes vholmes@virginia.edu Northern: Jackie Darling vdahdqtrs@aol.com Richmond: Elaine Smith essmithrd@hotmail.com Southwest: Nanette Showalter nanshowalter1000@aol.com Tidewater: Kathleen Walters kathleenwalters@cox.net VDA President and President Elect Carol Papillon, MPH, RD cpapillo@vt.edu Martha Campbell, MA, RD nutrigal@aol.com

19. LICENSURE Political Process Be a Constituent Liaison When the legislator reads �Dietitian� he/she thinks of a name and face! Be their Nutrition expert Town Hall meetings Fundraisers During General Assembly 19

20. LICENSURE VDA PAC � What & Why VDAPAC is the Political Action Committee of the Virginia Dietetic Association that is committed to educating officials on VDA�s policy agenda. In order to gain the attention of key legislators, we need to educate them on the importance of RD licensure, and also be very visible in the political process and campaign arena. A goal for $25-$30K in the VDAPAC fund is needed to invest in election campaign events. Donations accepted via credit card at www.eatrightvirginia.org/page/vdapac 20 Donate up to $100 in a year time without filing names Donate up to $100 in a year time without filing names