WASHINGTON, DC, April
18, 2014 – The Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action
("EDC") announced Kathleen MacDonald as the new Policy & Communications Director of
the EDC. MacDonald has a ten-year
history of working in the field of eating disorders and has expertise in the
areas of education and prevention, insurance advocacy and policy related to
eating disorders and mental health parity. MacDonald brings not only her
professional strengths to the EDC, but a also a personal perspective on eating
disorders; she recovered from a long battle with the very diseases for which the
EDC advocates. "My struggle with
eating disorders was in part prolonged because I did not have access to
medically necessary treatment,” said MacDonald. “When I was sick, the EDC
provided a beacon of hope when I thought no one cared about people suffering
with eating disorders. During my recovery process, I became a citizen advocate at
the EDC's National Lobby Days. It was through
EDC National Lobby Days that I learned the power of advocacy, the power of
using my voice and the power of policy."
“We are so thrilled to have Kathleen join our organization
as Policy Director. She is a beacon of
hope to so many struggling, a fierce advocate, and a respected
professional. She brings a voice to the
voiceless,” said Johanna Kandel, EDC Board President. “We look forward to this new chapter for the
Eating Disorders Coalition and to continuing our work bring recognition of eating disorders as a
public health priority.”
In 2004, MacDonald partnered with EDC Member Organization The Gail R. Schoenbach F.R.E.E.D.
Foundation (For Recovery and Elimination of Eating Disorders) as Education
and Prevention Coordinator, and Insurance Advocate. In 2008, after many years of volunteering
with the EDC, MacDonald became the Policy Assistant of the EDC and worked on legislative
efforts on Capitol Hill, including EDC National
Lobby Days and strategic policy planning such as helping develop the
"Education and Prevention" section of The FREED Act, the first
comprehensive federal bill in the history of Congress to address eating disorders
research, treatment and education and prevention. In 2012, MacDonald joined Kantor & Kantor,
LLP, as a Health Insurance Advocate where she authored appeals to insurance
companies from the denial of benefits for treatment of eating and other mental
health disorders. "My time at Kantor & Kantor (K&K) was invaluable
and I will be forever grateful to everyone at the firm, especially the Health
Team. Lisa Kantor, founding partner of K&K
and EDC Board Member, has been a boss, mentor and friend to me and I appreciate
her encouragement to accept the Policy Director position. Though I will no longer work for Lisa or the
firm, we will still work closely together as we raise awareness of the barriers
to insurance coverage people with eating disorders face when seeking treatment,"
said MacDonald.
On her goals as the Policy Director, MacDonald said, "I
look forward to helping advance the Truth
in Advertising Act of 2014, the Federal
Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders (FREED) Act of 2013, furthering the
EDC's legislative priorities and working with EDC Member
Organizations and advocates from across the country to collaboratively
demonstrate to Congress that they can
make a difference by passing legislation that will benefit all those impacted
by eating disorders. I feel blessed, humbled and excited to take forward the EDC's
mission of influencing policy to ensure positive and long-lasting change in the
lives of all those affected by these insidious and deadly brain disorders."
About The Eating Disorders
Coalition
Since 2000, the
Eating Disorders Coalition's mission has been to bring recognition of eating
disorders as a public health priority at the federal and state level. The EDC raises awareness
among policy makers and the public at large about the serious health risk posed
by eating disorders; promotes federal support for improved access to care;
increases resources for research, education, prevention, and improved training;
increases funding and support for scientific research on the etiology,
prevention, and treatment of eating disorder; promotes initiatives that support
the healthy development of children; and mobilizes concerned citizens to
advocate on behalf of people with eating disorders, their families, and
professionals in the field. To learn
more and to become involved with the EDC visit: www.eatingdisorderscoalition.org
or visit their FB page at: www.facebook.com/EatingDisordersCoalition
