Laurie Pohutsky is a Democratic state representative from Livonia. She said dietitians provide a sometimes life-saving service to Michiganders.
“But it's inaccessible and unaffordable to a lot of people because it isn't covered by insurance,” Pohutsky said.
Pohutsky introduced a bill that aims to fix that by licensing dieticians in Michigan. The proposed legislation passed the state House in the fall. Now it’s in a state Senate committee.
“It will hopefully improve household health outcomes for people all across the state."
Some nutrition professionals object
Miranda Moore-Stepnitz of Macomb County opposed Pohutsky's bill at a recent hearing. That’s because it would license dieticians, but not Certified Nutrition Specialists like her.
“I am by all accounts a nutritionist, I just chose the path less traveled of my nutrition education as a Certified Nutrition Specialist and not a registered dietician,” Stepnitz told the committee.
But Mark Thiesmeyer Hook with the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics said during the hearing that CNSes do not have the same level of training as dieticians.
“We know that various doctors are extremely qualified, but you don't let a dermatologist operate on your heart,” Hook said.
Expanding access
Dietitian Allison Bone treats eating disorders at her practice in Richland. Bone said the bill is vital.
“28 million people in the United States will struggle with an eating disorder at some point in their life," Bone said. "We're looking at a very large amount of the population who is at risk of having very detrimental health effects from this mental illness.”
Pohutsky said she’s hopeful the bill will get a vote at its next hearing.