HISTORY INFORMS THE FUTUREDietetics Licensure: What’s In It for VAND?Vermont Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics2012 Annual Conference, April 27, 2012

Sue Johansen, RD, CD, CDE

Certified Dietitian: The Vermont Credential for RD’s •History: •How did we get this?•Why did we want it?•Was/Is RD enough?•Registration•Certification•Licensure

History of Efforts for Certified Dietitian•Several years, many RD’s worked together

late 1980’s-1990’s •Bills introduced for licensure; stayed in committee•Key legislator: Senator Althea Kroger—advised/recommended bill with no scope of practice•Lawyer drafted bill•Lobbyist contracted with VDA to help

History of Efforts for Certified Dietitian•Senator Kroger, Jeanne Kennedy helped us organize: trained RD’s to contact local legislators and to testify at committee meetings and public hearings•Phone trees, regional efforts:•“Lead RD” in areas around state communicated with other RD’s in area •VDA member as point person for legislative coordination, State House meetings

History of Efforts for Certified Dietitian•RD’s contacting their legislators•Public hearings •Committee Testimony: Government Operations Committee•Support of Insurance Company Executive•Legislation passed; signed by Governor•Certification credential for RD’s: 1994

History of Efforts for Certified Dietitian•Many RD’s involved throughout state.•Key “players”: Jane Ross, Rachel Johnson, Janice Waterman, Betsy Hiser, Robin Edelman•Next effort: to make MNT a covered service provided by Certified Dietitian

“Medical Nutrition Therapy Improves Health and Saves Money for

Vermonters”•Publication: 1995; 4 RD authors, 30 RD contributors/reviewers•MNT—Cost Effective/Case Studies•20 Case studies by VDA RD’s: Benefits of MNT in Home, Hospital, Long Term Care, Children with Special Health Care Needs, Treatments of Diabetes, Heart Disease•Letters from Vermonters•Appendix, References

Vermont Certified Dietitian•Our current credential granted by legislature as law; our legal state recognition•2 RD members on our Board of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State’s office• Insurance payment for MNT to CD’s with provider numbers from Medicare, insurance companies• Many RD jobs which do not require CD for employment

Vermont Certified Dietitian• 132 CD’s currently• Important questions: Why should RD have CD credential? Why is RD not enough?• Future of our profession: Health care reform—emphasis on prevention;

impacts all RD’s whatever our employment

CD = current state credential; professional recognition granted by VT legislature

INSURANCE—personal and professional

Vermont Certified Dietitian•Credential earned by hard work and dedication of VT RD’s in 1990’s.•Professional designation, identification not available to others in “nutrition work”.

Personal: Allows public to identify your qualifications wherever you practice as RD •OUR CD: Use and value what we have.• Important to value CD to pursue licensure in future•We are in this profession/VAND together!