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Eating Disorder Advocacy with the Eating Disorders Coalition
Katrina Velasquez, Esq.
Hosted by Katrina Velasquez, Esq., of the Eating Disorders Coalition
June 9, 2016
EDH: Welcome to today’s #EDHchat!
EDH: Today we will be discussing advocacy efforts in the Eating Disorder Community.
EDH: We would like to start by welcoming our special guest, Katrina Velasquez, Esq., Policy Director at the Eating Disorder Coalition
EDH: Katrina will be tweeting as the @EDCoalition. Welcome Katrina, and thanks for tweeting with us tonight!
EDH: Let’s get started with some of our questions.
EDH: @EDCoalition Please tell us about the Eating Disorder Coalition? What is the main mission of this organization?
EDC: The EDC advances the recognition of eating disorders as a public health priority throughout the United States.
EDC: We work to promote policies that eliminate the problems faced by people with eating disorders and that may prevent further people from developing eating disorders.
EDH: @EDCoalition What legislation is currently proposed to help eating disorder sufferers?
EDC: 1. Training: Prevent eating disorders by using existing NIMH and SAMHSA funds to provide training for health professionals
EDC: As well as to school personnel to learn to identify eating disorders and intervene early when precursory symptoms and behaviors arise.
EDC: 2. Clarity of Parity
EDC: Clarify the congressional intent to include residential treatment in the implementation of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008
EDC: 3. Truth in Advertising
EDC: The House bill (H.R. 2515) requires the Federal Trade Commission to study and report on whether regulation is needed for digitally altered images of people in advertising and if so, strategies to achieve regulation.
EDH: @EDCoalition What things can I do to help support this legislation?
EDC: Contact your Representatives today and ask them to sign-on to the bill!
EDH: @EDCoalition How can I contact my local representative to show my support for eating disorder sufferers?
EDC: Call your Representatives!
EDC: You can follow this link to get contact information and view a sample script of what to say: http://www.eatingdisorderscoalition.org/inner_template/get_involved/take-action.html#/7
EDC: Or email your Representative – use this link to send the templated email. http://www.eatingdisorderscoalition.org/inner_template/get_involved/take-action.html#/8
EDH: @EDCoalition How Does the EDC support legislation for eating disorders?
EDC: We advocate, educate members of Congress, and raise visibility of the issues.
EDC: We work to promote policies that eliminate the problems faced by people with eating disorders, create educational materials and briefing sheets that summarize the problems with and research related to EDs
EDC: We meet with Members of Congress and federal agencies
EDC: We also organize Congressional events to bring increased attention to and awareness of eating disorders as a policy issue.
EDH: @EDCoalition How can I become a support member of the EDC?
EDC: Follow us on social media and become a Friend of the EDC
EDC: You can sign up here! http://www.eatingdisorderscoalition.org/inner_template/get_involved/get-involved-individuals.html
EDH: @EDCoalition What changes has the EDC seen as a result of their advocacy efforts?
EDC: We have seen an increased interest eating disorders among members of Congress.
EDC: The House version of the Anna Westin Act has the support of 84 Congressmen and Congresswomen
EDC: The Senate version has 12 supporters
EDC: We are very excited that key provisions of the Anna Westin Act were included in the Mental Health Reform Act of 2016
EDC: which passed within the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension’s Committee Managers Amendment of S. 2680 on March 16, 2016.
EDH: Thank you to everyone who participated in our Twitter Chat today! And thank you for the great insight @EDCoalition
EDH: It’s wonderful to hear of the current advocacy work as well as ways to become involved.
EDH: Learn more about how you can become involved with the Eating Disorder Coalition by visiting their website at http://www.eatingdisorderscoalition.org
EDH: For more eating disorder information, be sure to visit us at Eatingdisorderhope.com
EDH: Thank you again @EDCoalition for joining us this evening. Have a great night everyone!
The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.
