Vermont Dietetic Association

Legislative Updates

VDA Legislative Day, February 17th, 2009
In the photo, from left to right:
Deana Novembrino,RD; Laura Biron,RD; Rose Pelchuck,DTR; Amy Gendron,RD; Tracie Clark,RD; Sylvia Gaboriault,RD; Governor Douglas; Sylvia Geiger,RD; Sue Johanson,RD

On Tuesday, February 17th, VDA held its’ annual legislative day at the Vermont State House.  Seven RDs and one DTR spent the morning visiting with legislators and discussing the role of the registered dietitian.  We also stressed how medical nutrition therapy saves health care dollars.  As always, legislators were very approachable and easily engaged in discussions.  We also did blood glucose screening and body fat analysis, and Sylvia Gaboriault brought along a great poster display promoting nutrition labeling in restaurants.

Governor Douglas signed a proclamation declaring Wednesday, March 11 as Registered Dietitian Day in Vermont.

If any VDA members were unable to attend legislative day but would be interested in getting involved with the political process in Vermont, I would love to go to the State House with you some time and introduce you to your legislator or help you facilitate a phone conversation, if that is easier.  As we learned at PPW this year, “If Nutrition is your Profession, then Politics is your Business.”   Because we work in a regulated profession, we need to all stay involved in the political process. 
Thank you to everyone who helped make 2009 Legislative day a success!

Sincerely,

Amy Tuller, RD,CD,CDE
Vermont State Policy Representative

Sylvia Gaboriault discusses nutrition concerns with a Vermont legislator

Northeast White House Regional Conference on Health Reform

On Tuesday March 17, 2009 two members of the Vermont Dietetic Association were invited by Governor Jim Douglas to attend the NE White House Regional Conference on Health Reform at the UVM Davis Center. Four hundred invited guests, representing a bipartisan group of lawmakers, physicians, health care providers and executives from Vermont and Massachusetts came together to openly discuss and air concerns regarding the current state of the American health care system.

The forum was co-moderated by Governors Jim Douglas (Vermont), Governor Deval Patrick (Massachusetts) and Nancy-Ann Deparle, President Obama’s Director of the White House Office on Health Reform.  The objective of the forum was for President Obama’s representative, Nancy-Ann Deparle, to hear the issues and concerns of Americans living in the Northeast and bring that voice back to Washington as health care reform is crafted.   The conference held in Vermont was the second of eight White House Regional Conferences that Nancy-Ann Deparle is attending in different geographic regions around the country.

Although the VDA attendees, Sylvia Geiger and Cathy Mac Isaac, did not have the opportunity to speak during the forum, we were honored that the Governor invited and included members of the Vermont Dietetic Association as representatives of our profession and Vermonters in this important discussion on health care reform.  

For more detailed information about the White House Regional Conferences on Health Reform and to read how you can participate go to: http://www.healthreform.gov/whitehouseforums.html

ADA's Public Policy Workshop in Washington DC: April 23-25, 2007

Sylvia Gaboriault and Cathy McIsaac with Senator Patrick Leahy.  

VDA legislative day: February 28, 2008

On February 28th, 2008, The Vermont Dietetic Association held its annual VDA legislative day at the State House in Montpelier.  At least 10 Registered Dietitians and 7 students were present, to help spread the word to Vermont legislators about how Medical Nutrition Therapy saves money and improves the health and lives of Vermonters.  We also educated legislators about the role of the RD and why we are vital members of the health care team. 

Everyone worked hard to make this day successful and we had a very good turnout of legislators visiting our table.  Sylvia Gaboriault did blood sugar screening and the UVM MSD students gave out information they had prepared.  We all enjoyed visiting with our legislators, and they, in turn, seemed appreciative and interested in the information we had to provide. 

Two specific events highlighted our visit:
   First, Governor Douglas presented VDA president, Molly Holland with a proclamation, declaring March 10th Vermont Registered Dietitian day.
   Second, Representative Robert Dostis, RD introduced us to the House of Representatives at the opening of the session.

It was a fun day, and a great opportunity for us to stand out as the nutrition experts and provide some education to our legislators about what who we are.

I hope many more dietitians will have an opportunity to attend this event next year, so that we can continue to be recognized in the forefront of Health Care Reform in Vermont.

Thank you very much to everyone who worked hard to make this event so successful.
Sincerely,
Amy Tuller, VT ADA state policy rep.