Committee approves Libby bill to reduce obesity and chronic disease
Legislation from Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, to reduce obesity and chronic disease rates in Maine was endorsed in a bipartisan 11-1 vote by the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee on Monday.
The bill, “LD 1162 “An Act To Reduce the Incidence of Obesity and Chronic Disease in Maine,” as amended, would make medical nutritional therapy provided by physicians, licensed dietitians and dietitian nutritionists reimbursable under MaineCare in any patient setting. Current law restricts these services to hospital settings only.
About 30 percent of Maine adults are obese. Obesity is associated with preventable chronic diseases including heart disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. According to data from the National Institutes of Health, the medical costs associated with obesity are estimated at $147 billion.
“Obesity is a serious medical issue for many Mainers leading to additional, preventable, medical problems and costs,” said Sen. Libby. “In just one case, a person was able to lose 90 pounds and no longer needed $12,000 of state funded insulin medication annually due his participation in medical nutrition therapy. This is commonsense fiscal and public health policy to make it easier for providers to help their patients with this serious medical issue. Making this change will help more Mainers live longer, healthier and more productive lives.”
Many private insurers already cover these treatments and medications, creating an inequity between Mainers with private insurance and MaineCare coverage. It’s estimated that over 14,000 Mainers would qualify for these services.
“Research shows that Registered Dietitians are twice as likely to help patients lose significant weight and increase exercise than other healthcare practitioners,” said Marcy Kyle, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Licensed Dietitian, and the regional director of nutrition and diabetes services at Pen Bay Medical Center. “LD 1162 covers many health care conditions that, if treated with MNT, could lead to the prevention of major health care costs in the future.”
LD 1162 now heads to the Senate for initial votes.
