Advocacy in Action
Advocacy in Action
Welcome to the UMDF'S Advocacy Action Center
Your voice is critical when it comes to educating Members of Congress about the needs of the patient community. Please check back periodically for updated UMDF 'Legislative Action Items' that require your attention. Remember, voices in numbers get things done -- so after you participate, please share with friends and family and ask them lend their voices, too!
Please scroll down to see all currrent Action Items that need your support.
Medical Nutrition Equity Act - S. 2013 (Senate Version)
The Medical Nutrition Equity Act (MNEA) was introduced in the Senate by Robert Casey (PA) and carries nine co-sponsors. The Medical Nutrition Equity Act would provide public and private insurance coverage for medically necessary foods (including vitamins) for digestive and inherited metabolic disorders. Congress passed legislation that improved coverage for medical nutrition for military families enrolled in TRICARE. MNEA expands coverage of medically necessary foods to include patients covered under Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicare, the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, and private insurance if the patient’s provider prescribes them. Although these foods are essential for patients, they are often expensive and not uniformly reimbursed by health insurance, leaving many families with a large financial burden.
Click here to fill out a form to find your Senator(s) and to ask him/her co-sponsor the Medical Nutrition Equity Act, S. 2013.
Medical Nutrition Equity Act - HR 3783
The Medical Nutrition Equity Act of 2021, also known as MNEA, was introduced by Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) in the House.
Click here to fill out a form to find your Congressman/woman and ask him/her to cosponsor the Medical Nutrition Equity Act HR 3783.
Congressional Mitochondrial Disease Caucus
The support of a robust Congressional Mitochondrial Disease Caucus will provide a forum for members of Congress and their staff to learn about mitochondrial disease and related issues including prevalence, the relationship to other illnesses, and current directions of research. The Caucus will also provide support for the efforts of agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DoD) to support cutting edge research into mitochondrial disease to develop therapies and cures for specific diseases and new insights into many major neurological disorders.
Our bi-partisan Congressional Mitochondrial Disease Caucus is chaired by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
Click here to ask your Member of Congress to join the caucus today.