Health Equity

On December 9, MSDC President Dr. Susanne Bathgate sent a letter on behalf of MSDC to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee advocating for updates to the federal dietary guidelines. As the Senate considers omnibus spending legislation for the rest of the federal fiscal year, there is consideration to adding language modernizing dietary guidelines.

The letter is included below.

December 9, 2022


Dear Chair Stabenow and Ranking Member Boozman:

The Medical Society of the District of Columbia was founded in 1817 and remains dedicated to ensuring the health and well-being of the citizens of Washington, DC. We understand that the House Education and Labor Committee advanced language earlier this year in the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 8450) that would address the issue of beverage availability for schoolchildren and that Congress is currently deliberating its further consideration.

As the Senate Agriculture Committee considers provisions for possible inclusion in a year-end omnibus bill, we want to let you know that the Medical Society of the District of Columbia supports the policy of the American Medical Association entitled “Culturally Responsive Dietary and Nutritional Guidelines” that calls for the passage of federal legislation that “modifies the National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1758, so as to eliminate requirements that children produce documentation of a disability or a special medical or dietary need in order to receive an alternative to cow’s milk.”

We are grateful to you for all you do you advance public health. On behalf of our physician members, as well as patients and families in the District of Columbia and across the nation, we thank you for your attention to this important issue.


Sincerely,
 

Susanne Bathgate, MD
President, Medical Society of DC