S.1971 - Nutrition Counseling Aiding Recovery for Eating Disorders Act of 2025; Nutrition CARE Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1971, the Nutrition CARE Act of 2025, aims to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to include coverage for medical nutrition therapy (MNT) services for individuals with eating disorders under Medicare. The bill highlights the prevalence and severity of eating disorders, emphasizing their high mortality rates and significant economic costs. It seeks to address gaps in Medicare coverage by providing MNT at outpatient, intensive outpatient, and residential treatment levels.
Expected Effects
The bill's passage would expand Medicare coverage to include medical nutrition therapy for eating disorders, potentially improving access to care and health outcomes for beneficiaries. This could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment, reducing the severity of complications and associated healthcare costs. The bill also specifies the duration of MNT services covered, setting minimums for initial and subsequent years.
Potential Benefits
- Improved access to medical nutrition therapy for Medicare beneficiaries with eating disorders.
- Potentially reduced mortality rates associated with eating disorders through early intervention.
- Reduced healthcare costs related to hospitalizations and emergency room visits for eating disorder complications.
- Enhanced quality of life for individuals with eating disorders through comprehensive treatment.
- Addresses a gap in Medicare coverage for a critical component of eating disorder treatment.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased Medicare spending due to the expansion of coverage.
- Potential administrative burden for healthcare providers in complying with the new coverage guidelines.
- Possible limitations on the scope of MNT services covered, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
- Risk of fraud or abuse related to billing for MNT services.
- The bill may not fully address all the needs of individuals with eating disorders, as it primarily focuses on medical nutrition therapy.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to improve the health and well-being of a specific population group. While the Constitution does not explicitly mention healthcare, the expansion of Medicare to include MNT for eating disorders can be seen as an effort to "promote the general Welfare" as stated in the Preamble. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).