News
January 23, 2008

Join Us in Washington, February 27:

Eating Disorders: Fighting Stigma with Science

Three dynamic speakers will fight eating disorder stigma with science during a briefing at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 27. Writer Aimee Liu, researcher and psychologist Cynthia Bulik, PhD, FAED, and Ron George will talk about the realities of eating disorders and the simple policy changes that can save lives and reduce healthcare costs. Free. Details.

Multi-service Eating Disorders Association Joins EDC

WASHINGTON January 2008 - The Multi-service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA), a leading provider of prevention and early detection services ,has become the 37th member of the Eating Disorders Coalition. MEDA is well-known in Massachusetts and surrounding states, having been actively involved in the region's fight for mental health parity and and patient advocacy. EDC directors voted unanimously to approve the MEDA application for membership.

MISSION: MEDA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of eating disorders and disordered eating. MEDA's mission is to prevent the continuing spread of eating disorders through educational awareness and early detection. MEDA serves as a support network and resource for clients, loved ones, clinicians, educators and the general public.

State Children's Health Insurance Program

S-CHIP Matters to People with Eating Disorders

Some people with eating disorders receive treatment through a federal program that has been the focus of a bitter debate in Washington. Throughout 2007, Congress and the White House have battled over expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP), a federal government program that gives funds to states in order to provide health insurance to families with children. The program was designed to cover uninsured children in families with incomes that are modest but too high to qualify for Medicaid.

In some states, residents are able to access eating disorder treatment through S-CHIP program funds. Because S-CHIP programs vary state-to-state, the residents are often unaware that federal funds are being used to pay for a policy through brand-name companies such as Blue Cross Blue Shield. Sometimes even the treatment provider is unaware that federal tax dollars are paying for the individual's care.

The exact number of people using S-CHIP funds to access eating disorder treatment is unknown. When the EDC surveyed treatment programs in 2007 to ask about S-CHIP-funded care, insurance specialists responded said that they get several each year. One treatment program employee said, "Most of the time, we process the claim forms to private companies and later find out that the patient was funded through S-CHIP."

In 2007, when the program was to be reauthorized, Congress voted to expand S-CHIP to cover more uninsured children and adolescents, a step in the direction of universal health care. President Bush vetoed the bill saying that it was too costly. Congress then passed a more conservative S-CHIP bill that created firmer caps on income eligibility, prevented adults from joining, and banned children of illegal immigrants from receiving program benefits. Again the president vetoed the bill. Congress has been unable to gather enough votes in the House to override the presidential veto.

Help us get 2008 off to a great start by participating in our January challenge. The EDC is participating in Parade Magazine's "America's Giving Challenge," in partnership with Network for Good.

Donate to the EDC.
Create a badge for your blog or Web site.
Invite your friends to donate.

The challenge ends January 31!