Licensed Dietitians are using the North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition to provide them with turf protection by eliminating any and all competition - AND NOW THEY'RE TRYING TO INCLUDE SOME NUTRITIONISTS AND ALL PRIVATE CITIZENS.

Why is this important?

Simply put, the language in this bill has the potential to impact every individual, parent, family member, health professional and volunteer chapter leader partakes in the instruction and feeding of others.

THIS MEANS THAT EVERY TIME A PERSON DISCUSSES FOOD CHOICES, SPECIAL ALLERGY DIETS, AND/OR GIVES ANY DIETARY ADVISE, THEY COULD BE "PRACTICING NUTRITION WITHOUT A LICENSE". Even those who currently hold certifications in Nutrition who do not hold the title Licensed Dietitian, could be implicated. This impacts parents, friends, and bloggers in addition to all of those who have earned the title of Nutritionist! (Licensing by the board should not be necessary in order to practice Nutrition; we would like to see the board elimiated like they have done in Michigan.)

As written, HB 796 increases restrictions by expanding the title of dietitian to include the title of nutritionist. By incorporating both of these titles, HB 796 will make it illegal for any citizen or unlicensed nutrition professional to provide nutrition counseling in health and disease, assess the nutritional needs of individuals or groups, establish priorities to meet those needs, determine and manage resources, and maintain an appropriate standard of food quality.

Dietitians have been repeatedly misrepresenting the facts to the legislature and confusing the issue. Contrary to their statements, here are the facts:

1) Dietitians do not need a licensing board to collect insurance reimbursement Requirements set federally by the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS). Only the RD (registered dietitian) credential is required.

The RD comes from their dietetic professional organization, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). 

CMS recognizes the RD and other qualified nutrition professionals. NC current law only recognizes RDs.

2) Medical nutrition therapy is defined federally by CMS for clinical settings such as hospitals. Hospital can only hire RDs, not just any nutrition professional. Dietitians are trying to expand the term MNT, which will include nutrition services for any and all diseases - eg obesity and weight loss and allergy diets.

 (At most give them exclusive rights to the titles dietitian, Licensed Dietitian, and the letters LD. This is known as title protection. Many states offer title protection only.)

If you would like to read the bill, click here: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2015/Bills/House/PDF/H796v2.pdf
If you would like to follow its progress in the legislature, click here: http://ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2015&BillID=hb796&submitButton=Go

For further impact, contact the NC Senate Rules and Operations Committee and urge them to oppose HB796:

Tom.Apodaca@ncleg.net, Tommy.Tucker@ncleg.net, Chad.Barefoot@ncleg.net, Dan.Blue@ncleg.net, Andrew.Brock@ncleg.net, Harry.Brown@ncleg.net, Ben.Clark@ncleg.net, Joel.Ford@ncleg.net, Kathy.Harrington@ncleg.net, Ralph.Hise@ncleg.net, Brent.Jackson@ncleg.net, Floyd.McKissick@ncleg.net, Wesley.Meredith@ncleg.net, Buck.Newton@ncleg.net, Bill.Rabon@ncleg.net, Josh.Stein@ncleg.net, Trudy.Wade@ncleg.net