Friday, June 21, 2013

Lobby Days and More: EDC Moves The National Agenda on Eating Disorders Policy Forward


Our Spring Lobby Day was in April and we are busy prepping for our Fall Lobby Day (September 18). This time of year, we sometimes get the question "What does the EDC do between lobby days?”

EDC celebrates our 13th year of bringing together advocates from across the country to lobby day where we push for policies that make a difference to those suffering from eating disoders. Think of our lobby days as a cornerstone to our legislative strategy. They are crucial to our efforts; those of you who have participated know that. In between lobby days, we prepare the ground for future lobby days and build on the work of lobby days throughout the year.

So what is EDC doing?  We are actively working on making the FREED Act become law. We have regular meetings with House and Senate staff to lobby for FREED, ensure new and existing legislation includes eating disorders provisions (see blog on Mental Health Bill), the sign on letters asking Secretary Sebelius to clarify existing parity law, and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. In addition, we meet with the Administration when necessary and continue to increase grassroots support by reaching out to you and to other like-minded organizations. In fact EDC collaborates regularly with national organizations – more than 100 of us come together once a month to work together on promoting mental health policies.  EDC also continues to explore additional legislative priorities and policies, which will advance eating disorders policy.
Thank you to all of you for your support and be sure to join us at our Fall Lobby Day on September 18 to lend your voice to move these priorities forward! We couldn’t do what we do year-around without you.

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