The Eating Disorder Coalition (EDC)
applauds Representative Ted Deutch’s (D-FL)
introduction of H.R. 2101 the Federal Response to Eliminate Eating
Disorders Act of 2013 (FREED Act). The FREED Act is comprehensive legislation
that is a crucial step in responding to eating disorders.
“Eating disorders have the highest
mortality rate of any mental illness, and yet those suffering too often find
themselves marginalized and without treatment,” said Congressman Deutch. “The
ignorance in our society surrounding eating disorders is costing us lives, and
the federal government has a responsibility to take action. I have sponsored
the FREED Act to better educate our communities about eating disorders, provide
for much-needed research, and ultimately improve access to treatment before
it’s too late.”
EDC President Johanna Kandel said, “We
thank Congressman Deutch for being a champion for eating disorders and are
grateful that he has introduced this important piece of legislation. The FREED
Act will not only help us to better understand eating disorders, it will
improve the access to treatment for those currently suffering with an eating
disorder. Eating disorders are not a partisan issue and the FREED Act has the
potential to save thousands of lives. We urge Congress to pass this bill
quickly.”
The FREED Act would provide funding and
direction to NIH for research and surveillance, provides for education and
prevention activities, and improves access to treatment of eating disorders by
requiring coverage of eating disorders be consistent with coverage of
medical/surgical benefits.
The introduction of the FREED Act was a
focus of EDC’s spring lobby day. EDC members and supporters traveled to
Washington to advocate for the introduction of the FREED Act, and to increase
support for FREED and eating disorders policy on the Hill.
Original cosponsors of H.R. 2101 are: Reps. Gerald Connolly (VA-11), John Conyers (MI-13), Keith Ellison (MN-5), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20), Hank Johnson (GA-4), Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Carolyn McCarthy (NY-4), James Moran (VA-8), Patrick Murphy (FL-18), Richard Nolan (MN-8), Chellie Pingree (ME-1), Jared Polis (CO-2), Allyson Schwartz (PA-13), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23).
1 comment:
Hi.
I am bulimic but on the verge of recovery. I've never felt so calm and in control around food. I eat when I feel like it and until I am full. Some days it's more and some it's less. I really never believed that recovery is possible and I am still surprising myself every day with how much happier and healthy I feel. I am sharing my bulimia recovery story. to inspire others to get well soon. May all get well soon.
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