Mission
The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) seeks an environment in which every patient receives safe, efficacious, and high-quality care by advancing the science and practice of clinical nutrition and metabolism.
Program Objectives
ASPEN’s intent includes active advocacy for high priority issues pertaining to nutrition support, including working in coalition with other like-minded organizations, as appropriate. Our advocacy also includes working with Congress, the Executive branch (NIH, regulatory agencies, CMS), public/private groups, and the courts (amicus briefs) to advocate for optimal nutrition as a national goal and patient safety issue:
- Support communication and research to show value and cost-effectiveness of nutrition care.
- Advocate for reform that benefits the efficacious delivery of nutrition support as evidenced by the value nutrition has on patient outcomes.
- Improve the safety and quality of care for all patients/consumers receiving nutrition support therapy, resulting in improved patient outcomes and improved quality of life.
- Promote an interdisciplinary approach to public policy for the nutrition care of patients.
- Promote continued federal funding for nutrition and metabolic research, education, and training.
- Improve nutrition support therapy by advocating for new needed products and product shortages solutions.
- Advocate for reimbursement to ensure that beneficiaries of government funded health programs receive the highest quality nutrition support care.
- Work on patient access to nutrition care through changing reimbursement.
- Support adequate access to and funding for nutrition clinician services to improve patient care.
- Sponsor the concept of a fair marketplace (pricing) that does not jeopardize the provision of safe and quality nutrition support.
- Guarantee accessibility to products and care service,
- Monitor and act on pricing to assure adequate reimbursement to providers for products, equipment, supplies, and care services.
Priority Issues
Address regulations that:
- Monitor and influence development of new definitions for medical foods and billing codes, such as with malnutrition, nutrition therapy, and metabolic support.
- Monitor and advocate with our partners and coalitions for broader patient access to Medical Nutrition Therapy and Medical Foods
- Integrate, coordinate, and develop initiatives to better define, diagnose, and treat disease related malnutrition.
- Promote adequate coverage and reimbursement for parenteral and enteral nutrition therapy.
- Monitor and act to resolve issues with The Centers for Medicare Services National Coverage Determination policy for parenteral and enteral nutrition which will increase access to medically necessary home parenteral and enteral nutrition
- Work to improve funding for the support of:
- Healthcare professional education and training in nutrition
- Nutrition support therapy related research
- Public awareness of the benefits of all forms of nutrition support (Medical foods, enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition)
Approved by the ASPEN Board of Directors April 14, 2023