House Committee Passes Menu Labeling Bill Rep. McMorris Rogers' bill H.R. 2017<http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-114hr2017ih/pdf/BILLS-114hr2017ih.pdf> Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act was recently passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 36-12. The bill would, among other things, relax menu labeling requirements for supermarkets and pizza restaurants. In 2014, the Academy provided comment to FDA<http://www.eatrightpro.org/resource/news-center/on-the-pulse-of-public-policy/from-the-hill/academy-strongly-supports-final-menu-labeling-requirements> that strongly supported the final menu labeling requirements. Please also see The Surprising Failure of Calorie Counts on Menus<http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/01/upshot/more-menus-have-calorie-labeling-but-obesity-rate-remains-high.html> NYT: Dec 1 2015 http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/01/upshot/more-menus-have-calorie-labeling-but-obesity-rate-remains-high.html /as Threat to Public Health in the Senate as Congress Returns to D.C. We are monitoring a threat to the Prevention and Public Health Fund (“Prevention Fund”) in Congress, as the Senate will soon consider a House measure<https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/3762/text> that in part repeals the Prevention Fund. Academy members across the country play a critical role in community-based prevention programs that often receive support from the Prevention Fund. Learn more about these programs here<http://www.eatrightpro.org/resource/advocacy/disease-prevention-and-treatment/cardiovascular/rdns-and-the-prevention-and-public-health-fund>. Organizational Sign-On Letter for HR 1686 The Academy finalized an organizational sign-on letter<http://mailer.eatright.org/t/38499/26226065/50466/42/> urging members of Congress to co-sponsor and pass the Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act<http://mailer.eatright.org/t/38499/26226065/49406/43/> (H.R. 1686). Twenty organizations signed the letter, representing health professionals and patient advocacy groups. On Capitol Hill: Academy Sponsors Public Health 101 Briefing The Academy sponsored a Capitol Hill briefing titled "Public Health 101," hosted by the Coalition for Health Funding<http://mailer.eatright.org/t/38499/26226065/50467/44/> and the Congressional Public Health Caucus<http://mailer.eatright.org/t/38499/26226065/50468/45/>. The briefing highlighted the importance of investing in prevention research and practice, including work done by Academy members<http://mailer.eatright.org/t/38499/26226065/49765/46/>. Congressional Hearing on National Commission on Hunger The House Agriculture Committee’s November 18 hearing focused on the National Commission on Hunger<http://mailer.eatright.org/t/38499/26226065/48214/49/>. Co-chairs focused on issues related to veterans, active-duty military members and their families, people with disabilities, and children, among other vulnerable groups. Academy member Susan Finn, PhD, RD, LD, FAND, is a member of the Commission; many members have presented testimony at regional meetings. A final report is due soon. Learn More<http://mailer.eatright.org/t/38499/26226065/50476/50/>
