[announce] a legitimate threat to nutritional education/information in michigan...

[jim mcdonald]

Hi all...  First, let me apologize for passing along a forward - that's not
something I do to you all, but as almost everyone on this list is from
michigan, this is a pertinent topic.

The ADA (American Dietetics Association) wants to pass a bill giving their
practitioners the sole right to recommend nutritional information.  That
means herbalists, naturopaths, naturopathic doctors, homeopaths, and other
any other type of practitioner would ~not~ be allowed to tell you about
nutrition, or suggest a course of of action to follow.

I think it was Andrew Weil who said of nutritionists (and I know that there
are good nutritionists and bad ones, so don't take offense if you're one of
the good ones) that we need to remember that they're the ones who plan the
menus at hospitals and schools.

(henry ford west bloomfield's hospital food being a shining exception...
astragalus maitake broth.  yum.)

We should never be forced to receive all our information from one
perspective, but rather have the option of exposure to many.  I don't want
to stop  the ADA from telling people what they think - even if I think its
wrong.  I want the same privilege, because even though I'm an herbalist and
use mostly plants, nutrition is the foundation to wellness, and most people
will need to be educated about nutrients they might be missing that are
important to restore.  Please look over the email included below and send
along your comments.  It's always helpful to add something personal to the
form letter, but do what you're able, if you feel that you'd like to.  I had
a response from one of the people on the board, so these are being read.

If you like hospital food, no need to take action of any kind.

thanks for the time... jim

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <info at michigannaturalhealthcoalition.org>

*Action Needed NOW!
* In 2006 Michigan passed legislation to regulate nutritional counseling.  A
Board was named to write rules to define the legislation.  Once
legislation is passed, rules must be adopted following a public comment
process, they then will go back to the Joint Legislative Administrative
Rules Committee where the rules are adopted or rejected.  These rules are
now public and are soon to be submitted for final approval and into law.
This will be our opportunity to neutralize the impact of the law on the
group.

This Board, comprised of five dietitians or nutritionists and two public
members, was to evaluate other professional nutrition credentials besides
those of a Registered Dietitian to determine which were appropriate to
provide nutrition advice to consumers.  The proposed rules and educational
criteria basically do not allow any group outside of RDs to be acceptable
for this work.

As you know, nutrition is at the core of naturopathic medicine.  There are
other professionals with nutritional training as well, who are at risk of
losing their ability to help clients with nutritional needs and plans.
And this means YOU are at risk of being limited to the advice of a
Registered Dietitian with your nutritional concerns.

There is a meeting of the Michigan Board of Dietetics and Nutrition,
Tuesday June 22, 2010, 10am - 12pm, Ottowa Building   Room 2  611 West
Ottowa

If you have time to write or email a letter before this meeting, please
consider doing so.  A sample letter has been attached which was drafted by
the Michigan Nutrition Association, a new organization created to fight
these rules, that you can use and personalize.  You are also welcome and
encouraged to attend the meeting in Lansing.

Please send letters and/or emails to:  Rae Ramsdell, Director, Health
Regulatory Division, Michigan Department of Community Health, Bureau of
Health Professions, 611 West Ottowa, POBox 30670, Lansing, MI  48909-8170.
 Attn: Michigan Board of Dietetics and Nutrition.  Email:
ramsdellr at michigan.gov
<ramsdellr at michigan.gov>
Another way of sending your information to the board members is to click
on the following link:
https://secure3.convio.net/aahf/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=563
Or cut and paste it into your browser address.  If you use this link, you
are encouraged to write your own letter in the place provided.  This link
will send your letter to all the board members at once.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  Thank you for
your support.
Sincerely,

info at michigannaturalhealthcoalition.org
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