Join Us April 26!

Congressional Briefing on Eating Disorders

The EDC will host a Congressional Briefing April 26 at the U.S. Capitol, focusing attention on a new report on eating disorders by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The report will address evidence-based research on the effectiveness of various types of eating disorder treatment.

The briefing is sponsored by Senator Pete Domenici (NM), a leading advocate in Washington for mental health.

The briefing will be in the U.S. Capitol, Room SC-6, from 3:30-5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

EDC Lobby Day

Join dozens of women and men on April 26 for an EDC Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. Registration is required. The registration page, with complete details, will be online soon. Please check the EDC Web site in the coming days.  

Eating Disorders Dream Bill Update

The Eating Disorders Dream Bill is now being discussed with potential sponsors in Congress. We are talking with House and Senate members about the priorities that were defined in the EDC's 2004 and 2005 conferences in Washington. The dream bill includes federal goals for eating disorder research, treatment, and prevention activities.

We are also listening to elected officials as they offer suggestions for making the greatest impact with this proposed legislation.

We will keep you informed on the progress of this effort.

EDC Welcomes New Member Organizations:
Center for Change, Rader Programs, Rosewood Ranch

March 9, 2006 - Three eating disorder treatment programs have recently joined the EDC. The Center for Change, Rader Programs, and Rosewood Ranch have demonstrated their support of eating disorder advocacy by joining the coalition in 2006. Much of the EDC's work centers on treatment-related issues. EDC board members have been reaching out to get more programs involved.

Welcome to Intern Ashley Southard

Meet our spring 2006 intern, Ashley Southard, MS, LGMFT. Ashley is coordinating an EDC Lobby Day and Congressional Briefing. She is also helping to organize the new EDC office on Pennsylvania Ave.

Ashley is from Arizona, but now lives in Baltimore. In addition to her work for the EDC, she is completing a doctorate at the University of Maryland, teaching, and seeing clients.

Meeting with Your U.S. Representative or U.S. Senator?
Keep EDC in the Loop!

Whether your organization is a dues-paying member of the Eating Disorders Coalition or you're an individual member of the Family & Friends Action Council, keep the EDC informed when meeting or speaking with your members of Congress.

The EDC encourages you to reach out to your elected officials and to become a resource person in your state or Congressional district. You can offer elected officials objective information as well as your personal expertise. We hope that you will attend their town hall meetings and call in when your representatives are on local radio programs.

Contact the EDC in advance of your meeting or phone call in order for us to suggest talking points that you might use. Afterward, let us know how the meeting or phone call went, what promises were made, or what actions were taken.

Every week, EDC staff and volunteers communicate with members of Congress, health experts at the Capitol, and federal officials. By keeping each other informed, everyone wins. U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators are here on Capitol Hill to serve YOU.

Call the EDC at 202-543-9570, Monday-Friday. If leaving a message, please be brief. Include your name, your state, your phone number, the member of Congress you are talking with. Also, please call us only regarding U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators.

Wish List

Graphic Design: Would you like to donate a "piece" for the EDC? Throughout the year, the EDC needs items prepared for printing. If you are a designer familiar with Quark, PageMaker, or other desktop publishing programs and would like to donate your skills for a brochure, booklet, or report, let us know! Call the EDC at 202-543-9570.

Printing: Do you or someone you know own a print shop? If so, consider donating a print run for an EDC publication. We have a variety of needs. Call the EDC at 202-543-9570.

In the News

A story about anorexia and insurance issues is scheduled to air Monday, March 13 on Paula Zahn Now, 8 pm EST. The show airs at different times around the country. Check local listings. The story may also air at 10 pm EST on Anderson Cooper 360.

Fighting Anorexia:
No One to Blame

The story that ran in Newsweek Magazine (December 2005)  is online at MSNBC (http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10219756/site/newsweek/). An audio version of the story is online (click on the wbur.org logo or visit http://www.onpointradio.org/shows/2005/12/20051213_b_main.asp).

Action Alert Results:
Dozens Respond to National Mental Health Call-In Day

On Wednesday Feb. 1, 2006, the House of Representatives voted on final passage of S. 1932, the Budget Reconciliation Bill. That bill will cut Medicaid services by $42 billion over 10 years and dramatically reduce the accessibility of community-based mental health care. Dozens of you responded to the EDC's Action Alert and called your elected officials in Congress. We thank you! The bill passed (unfortunately) by the narrowest of margins. The result will be that eating disorder services provided under Medicaid will be reduced or eliminated in coming years.