The Eating Disorders Coalition advances the recognition of eating disorders as a public health priority throughout the United States. There are two main avenues for addressing eating disorders policies at the federal level. The first is to incorporate eating disorders into already existing and moving initiatives. The second avenue is to help define the Congressional agenda by advocating for the drafting and introduction of new bills that improve the lives of people who are affected by eating disorders.
CURRENT POLICY EFFORTS
KIDS ONLINE SAFETY ACT (H.R. 7891/S.1409)
The Kids Online Safety Act will protect minors on social media from algorithmic harms, empower parents, and hold platforms accountable for their promotion of eating disorders and other mental and physical harms. It will help set necessary safety guiderails for online platforms to follow that will require transparency and give parents more peace of mind.
To learn more, view our Kids Online Safety Act infographic.
Fact Sheet: Protections for the LGBTQ+ Community
Senator Blumenthal's Fact Sheet
Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act (H.R 1331/S.754)
The Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act would integrate mental health promotion and education requirements to existing guidelines in the Local School Wellness Policies for grades K-12.
To learn more, view our Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act infographic.
NUTRITION CARE ACT (H.R. 6961/S. 3010)
The Nutrition CARE Act would fix a gap in Medicare Part B coverage, which excludes individuals with eating disorders from receiving an essential component of eating disorder treatment- medical nutrition therapy.
To learn more, view our Nutrition CARE Act infographic.
FISCAL YEAR 2025 APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS
Labor, Health, and Human Services:
- Funding for the National Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders to continue their provider training and create adaptive models for
pediatric providers. - Language requesting the CDC to reinclude one standard question on unhealthy weight control practices for eating disorders in the Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System.
- Funding for research for women and girls to support early detection and treatment of eating disorders.
- Funding for an Interagency Coordinating Committee on Eating Disorders to unify federal efforts to support eating disorders research, prevention, intervention, and treatment.
- Learn more by reading the Senate off-committee letter led by Senators Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tillis (R-NC) and the House off-committee letter led by Representatives Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Garbarino (R-NY), Spanberger (D-VA), and Tonko (D-NY).
Agriculture:
- Language to update local school wellness policies to incorporate eating disorder prevention and education.
Defense:
- Continuation of eating disorders as an eligible research topic in the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program within the U.S. Department of Defense.
- Learn more by reading the Senate off-committee letter led by Senators Klobuchar (D-MN) and Rounds (R-SD).