Western Area Massachusetts Dietetic Association
Public Policy
Stay Informed
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Do you have questions about the RD Licensure Compact? Learn more here.
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Post-government shutdown information for SNAP
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Save The Dates:
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MAND Day-On-The-Hill event 3/2/26
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Rachel’s Table “Outrun Hunger” event 5/17/26 in Springfield’s Forest Park
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The MNT Act is being reintroduced this legislative session since it didn’t pass in the last session. MAND continues to pay a lobbyist to advocate for our causes, Bulfinch Strategies.
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MAND bills in current legislative session:
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An Act Relative to Telehealth Parity for Nutrition Counseling
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H.1288/S.716 - Sen. Julian Cyr (D - Cape and Islands), Rep. Edward Philips (D - 8th Norfolk)
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Referred favorably by Joint Committee on Financial Services after 4/29/25 hearing, sent to Health Care Financing.
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An Act Relative to Modernizing Licensure for Dietitians and Nutritionists
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H.453/S.253 - Sen. Jason Lewis (D - 5th Middlesex), Rep. Edward Philips (D - 8th Norfolk)
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Referred to Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (error), then sent to Public Health (licensure for dietitians now by Dept of Public Health). Hearing held 6/11/25.
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On a national level: Link to MAHA report & AND telehealth and licensure state guide
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USDA is undergoing reorganization starting in October.
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The closing of Beltsville Research Center will impact greatly on food and nutrition, food safety and hunger prevention research. The decentralization of Food and Nutrition Services will affect the effectiveness of the USDA guidance on public health nutrition programs such as SNAP, WIC and school meals.
Public Policy Update from Washington D.C.
2/6/26 Federal Public Policy Update
(From FRAC (Food Research & Action Center) newsletter)
On Capital Hill
The final fiscal year (FY 2026) appropriations bill package was approved by the House and the bills have already been enacted and expire on 9/30/26., Funding for Homeland Security (DHS) is currently held at existing levels and set to expire on 2/13.
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Farm Bill Update
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) speaking at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture conference on 2/4/26 voiced her opposition to shifting SNAP costs to states, who lack funding for SNAP if no federal monies are appropriated. Some counties in MN have already raised taxes to prepare for the costs expected to come.
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Take Action
Urge members of the House Agriculture Committee (in MA, we have Rep. Jim McGovern in district 2) to speak out and reduce the harmful cuts to SNAP in the budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1) including the implementation of stricter time limits and the administrative and benefit cost shifts to states. Share client testimonials documenting the impacts of the cuts and reinforce that any investments in farmer relief must be paired with investments to families and individuals on SNAP. Ag committee members should not support legislation that fails to include SNAP investments that adequately address and offset the harms of H.R. 1.
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Report on Household Food Security in the U.S. in 2024 https://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/pub-details?pubid=113622
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President of FRAC Crystal Fitzsimons published this blog on 2/3/26 Household Food Spending and the Importance of Federal Nutrition Data - Food Research & Action Center
Update on School meals at no charge Healthy School Meals for All
How schools can participate in Summer EBT How-Schools-Can-Support-Participation-in-Summer-EBT.pdf
Join FRAC on 2/12/26 3-4PM EST for a webinar that will provide insight on where Summer Nutrition Programs stand today, highlight opportunities for growth and explore best practices that help ensure that every child has access to nutritious meals when school is out.
