Sydney Karp

Syracuse University 2015

10 Stony Brook Drive. North Caldwell, NJ 07006
201.655.9845
skarp43@aol.com
The Honorable Rodney Frelinghuysen
U.S. House of Representatives
2306 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-3011

Dear Representative Frelinghuysen:

My name is Sydney Karp and I am currently a Junior Nutrition Major at Syracuse University studying to
be a dietetics professional. I am writing in support of the H.R. 1249 Common Sense Nutrition
Disclosure Act and would like to call upon your attention to it. I feel that it is a very pressing and
controversial issue in todays society, and I am a strong advocate for its implementation. As a citizen of
the US and a resident of North Caldwell, NJ, I feel that my voice can be representative of many other
persons in the health and wellness field here in our country.

The Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act will amend the federal law, section 403 of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, to strengthen and refine some disclosure requirements for food
operations. This policy proposes several changes regarding food and nutrition. It suggests that that
calorie information should be displayed on a remote-access menu rather than a menu board in
restaurants. Additionally, calorie labeling should be available for individual slices of pizza instead of
just for an entire pie. This bill indicates the need for flexibility in providing caloric information for foods
that may be variable and are offered with different choices of toppings. Lastly, this bill addresses the
concern that nutrition labeling be provided for individual components of menu offerings.

The strengths of this bill, if enacted, will allow individuals the opportunity and choice to find out the
nutrition of the foods they are consuming. It will promote a clearer picture what a meal should look like,
how many calories are necessary for individuals, and differences between what is healthy and what one
should avoid or order just on occasion. However, I think that a remote access menu presentation will
not promote a widespread awareness. Although industry would prefer this, as a studying nutrition
professional, I do not think that chain restaurants should have the option not to provide information. This
is not an effective method of provoking change. I think that information should be fully visible and
available to customers, in order to cause the greatest influence in their decision making process. In my
community alone, I see how the implementation of public caloric labeling at franchises such as Panera
and Red Mango can positively influence how customers make conscious decisions on what to eat.
According to a study done in Washington on the results of implementing caloric information of menus at
chain restaurants, it was concluded that showing that menu labeling influenced many patrons to
purchase up to 143 fewer calories than customers who were not provided caloric information (Krieger et
al). In addition to just this single article, I found numerous other sources of information from Health
Eating Research (HER) that show how menu labeling can successfully influence consumer choices and
behavior.

As a member of the American Dietetic Association, resident of both North Caldwell, New Jersey, a
student at Syracuse University, and a future dietetics professional, I urge you to support the H.R. 1249
Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act, for exposure of important nutritional labeling and content is
crucial for citizens to know the realities of what we are putting into our bodies before we consume them.


Thank you so much for your interest in the role of nutrition labeling in Americas health and previous
support of nutrition issues in the Senate.

Sincerely,

Sydney Karp






I am writing to urge you to support Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy -- not only because it could
significantly improve the quality of health care your constituents receive, but also because it would save millions
of dollars to Medicare. Medical nutrition therapy includes the assessment of a patients nutritional status followed
by appropriate therapy, which can range from diet modifications to administration of specialized treatment
methods such as intravenous or tube feedings. Registered dietitians in hospitals, outpatient settings, nursing
homes and home care provide medical nutrition therapy.

In numerous studies medical nutrition therapy is shown to help speed recovery from many illnesses, reduce the
length of hospital stays, prevent the need for hospital stays, and reduce complications requiring a doctors visit. It
makes a major contribution in treating and managing heart disease, diabetes, cancer and bedsores. [For letters
to state legislators, add illnesses affecting Medicaid beneficiaries such as HIV/AIDS, severe burns, and infant
failure-to-thrive if appropriate to the issue.]

The Lewin Group, a respected health policy research firm, conducted a study that projected the net cost of
extending Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy to all Medicare beneficiaries to include office visits to
RDs in outpatient settings in Medicare Part B. This rigorously conducted study revealed that savings are greater
than cost after just three years, and savings increase significantly thereafter. Ive enclosed an additional
information sheet that provides more detail.

As a member of The American Dietetic Association and the (your state association), I follow closely issues
involving nutrition in national health care policy. And as a clinical dietitian practicing in (your place of work), I see
first hand the critical role nutrition plays in saving money and improving the quality of my patients lives. The
nearly 70,000 members of The American Dietetic Association are committed to helping Americans live healthier
lives. As you consider how to curb the cost of Medicare, consider the proven savings of medical nutrition therapy.

I urge you to vote in favor of extending Medicare Part B coverage to include medical nutrition therapy in
outpatient settings. It would save Medicare millions of dollars. But its not just about saving money. It
would also reduce unnecessary pain and suffering to thousands of your constituents.

Thank you very much for your interest in the role of medical nutrition therapy in Americas health.

Sincerely,

Part 3: The Actual lettersubmit with Part 2 essay investigating topic-due via BB, 10/6/13
(3% of your total class grade)

Computer-generate a professional looking letter that you would send to one of your legislators,
advocating support for the issue/bill you selected. Write appropriately in accordance with the
legislators co-sponsorship status of the bill. Write the letter with the help of the ADA Advocacy
Guide (its in the folder for this assignment in BB) but also from your current and personal
perspective (a citizen a volunteer at XYZ, and a student studying to be a(n)..professional). Paste
this below the text of your essay.

Writing a Letter to Your Elected Official

Letters are a powerful influence on elected officials. They are tangible; they can be quoted;
they have lasting value. A letter is a strong and efficient way to make your voice heard.

If appropriate and approved, use the letterhead of your employer or other professional
stationery. Make sure your name, professional credentials, address, phone number and fax or
e-mail address appear clearly on your letter. Keep your letter brief and to the point. Cover
only one issue per letter. Be sure to keep a copy for yourself and send a copy to your LNC.

Use the following salutations when writing to your Senator or U.S. Representative:

Senator

Representative
The Honorable (Full name) The Honorable (Full name)
U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington D.C. 20515
Dear Senator (Last name): Dear Representative (Last name):

If you are writing to your state legislators, check with your state Legislative Chair for correct
names, salutations and addresses or call your state legislature information office.

Begin your letter by identifying yourself, your reason for writing, a bill number if appropriate and
your professional setting or affiliation. If possible, thank the elected official for any previous
support on important nutrition issues.

Sample Letter to Member of Congress about Medical Nutrition Therapy