WASHINGTON, DC (May 9, 2024) – Yesterday, the Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy, & Action (EDC) hosted its annual Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. This was the first in-person advocacy day for the organization since 2019. The EDC was honored to be joined by 135 advocates from 30 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, 420 people participated virtually by sending emails and tweets to their Members of Congress. Advocates met with 67 offices in the U.S. House of Representatives and 43 offices in the U.S. Senate to urge Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Nutrition CARE Act (H.R. 6961/S. 3010) and the Kids Online Safety Act (H.R. 7891/S.1409).

The Nutrition Care Act, led by Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA01), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), and Lisa Blunt-Rochester (D-DE-AL), and Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) would fix a gap in Medicare Part B coverage, which excludes individuals with eating disorders from receiving an essential component of eating disorders treatment – medical nutrition therapy.

“Advocating for the Nutrition Care Act provided a critical opportunity to share with legislators the specific nature of the work of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) in eating disorder care, which is sometimes overlooked as one of the key components of comprehensive treatment,” said Samantha Lewandowski, MS, RDN, LDN, CEDS-C Registered Dietitian & Certified Eating Disorders Specialist in Maryland. “The greater the understanding of the role of nutrition in eating disorders treatment, coupled with increased access to medical nutrition therapy, the more positive the outcome, particularly for vulnerable populations receiving Medicare.”

The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), led by Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Erin Houchin (R-IN-09), Kim Schrier (D-WA-08) and Larry Buschon (R-IN08), and Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) is a comprehensive social media platform accountability bill that seeks to address specific harms posed by platform algorithms.

“Advocacy Day was an incredible reminder of the power of our collective voices and the impact that’s made when we have the bravery to share our experiences,” said Allie Evans, California Advocate. “As someone who grew up very publicly on these platforms, I had lost most of my adolescence to endless scrolling and performative posting. Watching the effect social media has had on my 15-year-old sister and the role it played in the development of her eating disorder, it made me realize I must become a part of the solution. We cannot leave the regulation of our youth’s safety up to these platforms as they have repeatedly failed to match their actions to their promises and commitments. Which is why I will not stop advocating for KOSA until it’s passed as law because it is the only way to safeguard kids.”

“It was thrilling to be back on Capitol Hill with so many of our advocates,” said Christine Peat, PhD., EDC Board President and Director, National Center of Excellence on Eating Disorders, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. “The passion this community has for using their voices to enact change is inspiring every day, but particularly on a day when we are together in the halls of Congress. I could not be prouder to lead an organization that is singularly focused on improving the lives of those struggling with eating disorders and one whose advocates are so passionate about working with us on federal policy.”

The Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action is a federal advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. The EDC advances the recognition of eating disorders as a public health priority throughout the United States.

Media Contact: Emily Rosenberg, erosenberg@eatingdisorderscoalition.org