SUMMARY OF LEGISLATION
There are two main avenues for addressing eating disorders policies at the federal level. The first is to incorporate eating disorders policies into already existing initiatives, such as mental health parity and the IMPACT Act. The second is to define the agenda by advocating for the drafting and introduction of new bills that improve the lives of people suffering from Eating Disorders, such as the Eating Disorders Awareness, Prevention, and Education Act. See summary of the main bills the EDC has advocated for below. The one bill that has passed into law at this point is mental health parity.
Bill Name Purpose
Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders Act (FREED) House of Representatives Bill 1448 Senate Bill 481 |
A comprehensive eating disorders bill conceptualized and drafted with input from dozens of eating disorder organizations around the country. Among the many initiatives this bill will address include: creating Centers of Excellence to fill the current gap in eating disorders research, improving training of health and school professionals to appropriately identify and respond to eating disorders, and requiring insurance companies to reimburse for eating disorders treatment on par with physical illnesses. |
Mental Health Parity (Click above to view Mental Health Parity Bill, beginning on page 310) (Passed) |
Removing discrimination against mental illnesses by prohibiting insurance companies from imposing mental health treatment limitations or financial requirements unless comparable limitations and requirements are imposed upon medical-surgical benefits. |
Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act H.R.5412, 2002 S.2821. 2002 S.1172, 2003 H.R.716, 2003 S.1325, 2005 H.R.5698, 2006 H.R.2677, 2007 |
Expand an existing grant program for the training of health profession students to include the treatment of overweight, obesity, and eating disorders. |
The Eating Disorders Awareness, Prevention, and Education Act HR 3928 IH, 2000 HR 46 IH1S, 2001 HR 873 IH, 2003 HR 49 IH, 2005 HR 88 IH, 2007 |
1) improve identification of students with eating disorders; 2) increase awareness among parents and students; 3) train educators about prevention and assistance, and 4) conduct research on the impact eating disorders have on educational advancement and achievement |
Promoting Healthy Eating Behaviors in Youth Act S 2249, 2002 |
Provides grants designed to promote healthy eating behaviors in youth as an avenue for preventing eating disorders, obesity, and osteoporosis |
House Resolution 531 on awareness of eating disorders HRES 531 IH, 2004 |
Encouraging increased public awareness of eating disorders and expanded research for treatment and cures |
| Other Policy Efforts | Oppose Mandatory BMI testing in the schools. The EDC is against state laws that require schools to measure students' BMIs and send report cards home to parents informing them of their child's BMI. To see the full rationale behind this stance read the linked article. |