Illinois Dietetic Association
Legislative and Public Policy Committee

Meeting Minutes
December 6, 2003
Chicago, Illinois

Convened at 10:00 AM

Members Present:
Co-Chairs: Victoria Rosenfeld, Connie Bussard
Marie Ross, Laura Dolezal, Roberta Coppermeyer and Elizabeth O'Malley (by phone)

The major topics discussed were:

***The Committee unanimously agreed that all members of IDA should be registered to vote. The old saying is "If Dietetics Is Your Profession, Politics IS Your Business" holds true. This could be a priority item of District Legislative Chairs to urge their district members to register. An article in their newsletter with information as to where and how to register in their communities.

***The Committee also looked at a key focus for districts that the legislative chair be a 3 year term, with the last year be a co-chair with the incoming chair to mentor and provide continuation.

***The Committee urged the districts to provide seed money to send the legislative chair to the National Public Policy Workshop (PPW) in Washington, DC --usually in March--this provides a nationwide framework for legislative efforts, national and statewide.

***A program suggestion for districts is to invite their legislator to give a brief talk at a district meeting. Could be generic address as to how to influence legislation from the legislators perspective.

***The Committee also ranked Insurance Reimbursement as a top priority item. Many dietitians have difficulty navigating the waters of the reimbursement issue e.g. third party payment. This will be discussed with Mary Ann Hodorowicz.

***This Committee continues to urge IDA to fund the position of Government Affairs Director / Coordinator. The logistics of managing state and federal issues and action is too large and requires coordinated spur of the moment responses that are difficult for volunteer chairs to handle.

***The Committee should provide ongoing articles for the website--channeled through the Legislative Communications Chair.

***The IDA Lobby Day--Legislative Symposium will be held April 28, 2004 in Springfield 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Flyers will be distributed to members state wide, on the WEB and to internships and didactic programs.

***Connie Bussard and Pat Riplinger will be presenting the Saturday legislative workshop at Spring Assembly.

Meeting adjourned 12:00 noon

Connie Bussard
Secretary pro tem