The Eating Disorders Coalition advances the recognition of eating disorders as a public health priority throughout the United States. There are two main avenues for addressing eating disorders policies at the federal level. The first is to incorporate eating disorders into already existing and moving initiatives. The second avenue is to help define the Congressional agenda by advocating for the drafting and introduction of new bills that improve the lives of people who are affected by eating disorders.
CURRENT POLICY EFFORTS
KIDS ONLINE SAFETY ACT (S.1409)
The Kids Online Safety Act will protect minors on social media from algorithmic harms, empower parents, and hold platforms accountable for their promotion of eating disorders and other mental and physical harms. It will help set necessary safety guiderails for online platforms to follow that will require transparency and give parents more peace of mind.
To learn more, view our Kids Online Safety Act infographic.
Fact Sheet: Protections for the LGBTQ+ Community
Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act (H.R 1331/S.754)
The Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act would integrate mental health promotion and education requirements to existing guidelines in the Local School Wellness Policies for grades K-12.
To learn more, view our Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act infographic.
NUTRITION CARE ACT (H.R. 6961/S. 3010)
The Nutrition CARE Act ensures that every core component of treatment for eating disorders, including medical nutrition therapy, is covered by Medicare.
FISCAL YEAR 2024 APPROPRIATIONS & NDAA REQUESTS
Labor, Health, and Human Services/Agriculture:
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Directing the agency to integrate at least one unhealthy weight control practice question into the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey.
- National Institutes of Health: Urging for robust funding for eating disorders research and multi-institute and center collaboration.
- SAMSHA: Directing $1 million to NCEED for training of primary care providers in SBIRT for eating disorders.
- Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Women's Health: Directing $1.5 million to continue funding grants for prevention and early intervention of eating disorders in girls and women.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Services: Directing integration of mental health promotion and education, including eating disorder in Local School Wellness Policies.
Defense Appropriation Request:
- For eating disorders to be continued as a topic under the $370 million Defense Peer Reviewed Medical Research Fund.
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Request:
- Improved funding for OPSS under the Department of Defense to expand their education and prevention work around dietary supplement usage in the military.
FISCAL YEAR 2025 APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS
Labor, Health, and Human Services:
- Increased funding to train primary health care providers on how to screen and intervene when an adult, adolescent or child has an eating disorder.
- Support for research funding for eating disorders research in women and girls.
- Increased public health data on eating disorders in adolescents.
- Strong funding and support for the National Center of Excellence on Eating Disorders.