Michigan Nutrition Association -- Call To Action:
Protect Nutrition in Michigan Now!
Prevent Dietetics Monopoly
in Rules for Public Act 333 §18351
An email template to send to the Michigan Board of Dietetics is included at the bottom of this page.
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June 14, 2010
Dear Fellow Supporter of
Nutrition:
Please allow me to introduce
myself and the organization I represent, and invite you to have your
voice on nutrition heard in Michigan’s capitol on June 22 . My name is
Werner Absenger M.Sc. Human Nutrition, President of the Michigan
Nutrition Association (MNA).
The MNA is a recently formed
501(c)6 non-profit trade association in Michigan. Our mission is to
ensure public access to healthcare providers who incorporate nutrition
counseling in their practice and to promote nutrition and healthcare
through a competitive, open and transparent system.
Our main purpose of formation
was opposition to Michigan Public Act 333 of 2006, §18351 (on Dietetics
and Nutrition Licensing), which is flawed due to restriction of trade,
monopolistic intent, and exceeding minimum requirement of the statute.
The Act represents a restraint of trade by creating a de facto monopoly
for the American Dietetic Association, by allowing only practitioners
with very narrowly defined characteristics to provide nutrition services
to the citizens of Michigan. We have a top lobbyist in
Lansing to represent us.
Our mission is to serve the
interests of the public and Michigan professionals who incorporate human
nutrition in their practice and patient care. We envision a vibrant
community of CNS, CCN, CNC, CN, DACBN, Pharmacists, Medical
Doctors, Nurses, Chiropractors, Naturopathic Doctors and many other
professionals working in the interest of public health.
We believe that to adequately
protect the health of the people of Michigan and their freedom of
choice, the people should have the right to choose their form of
nutritional therapy from a variety of professionals with different
approaches.
The American Dietetic
Association is sponsored by many corporations with values that differ
from ours, such as Coca-Cola to take just one example. “The Coca-Cola
Company and the American Dietetic Association are committed to helping
people enjoy healthy lifestyles,” - ADA President Connie B. Diekman.
( Press Release: “American Dietetic Association Welcomes The Coca-Cola
Company as an ADA Partner” Monday, March 03, 2008 (
http://www.eatright.org/Media/
Impact of the statute according to the rules promulgated thus far: (NOTE: law passed in 2006, rules are in process of being developed, thus law hasn't taken effect yet)
- Michigan citizens will lose their right to access a variety of health care practitioners that provide nutritional counseling
- This monopoly tailored to the Registered Dietitian creates a restraint of trade, meaning many Michigan healthcare practitioners will lose their right to provide nutrition counseling for their patients
- It will force people to lose their job and leave the state and will discourage people from moving to Michigan
Due to the flawed nature of the
statute, the Michigan Nutrition Association favors amending the law to
protect practitioners’ ability to perform nutrition counseling without
necessarily obtaining licensure. In the meantime, the rules to the
current law need to be challenged to prevent a dietician monopoly.
Fortunately, some safeguards
were put into the statute to mitigate its worst effects. It is
clear that the regulations being contemplated by the Board fundamentally
misinterpret the statutory language—and will unlawfully restrict
Michigan consumers’ access to nutrition professionals and prohibit
highly educated practitioners from providing nutritional advice.
Please consider adding your
personal testimony to that presented thus far to prevent a dietitian
monopoly before it is too late. Come learn about the
Michigan Nutrition Association at the next scheduled meeting in Lansing
for the Michigan Board of Dietetics and Nutrition:
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at
10am
Ottawa Building
Upper Level, Conf. Room 2
611 West Ottawa
Lansing MI, 48909
We will make a presentation to the Board at the Board meeting. Afterward, the MNA will host a brief gathering for all attendees in front of the Ottawa building (weather permitting). Light snacks will be provided. Professionals and public invited.
I am looking forward to getting
to know you in person and to having you get to know me and the Michigan
Nutrition Association.
Sincerely,
Werner Absenger
_____________________
Werner Absenger, M.Sc. Human
Nutrition
President, Michigan Nutrition
Association
MichiganNutrition@gmail.com
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