EXAM 2: Policy Overview And Federal Nutrition Policies Flashcards
Policy definition
A plan or course of action intended to influence and guide decisions, actions, and other matters
Health Policy definition
Decisions, plans, and actions that are undertaken to achieve specific healthcare goals within a society
Political Process definition
Trying to get something you want by presenting compelling reasons why the existing situation should be changed
What law branch does the USDA and HHS fit in
Executive branch as they are a part of the presidents cabinet
What is a bill
Proposed legislation being considered by congress
What is a law
A bill that has been approved/passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the president to become law
Provides a broad definition of the policy
Provides set standards, principles and procedures that must be followed in society
Look over how a bill becomes a law
How do we get to a bill?
A bill is an idea that someone wants to become a law
The idea can come from ANYONE (groups or individuals)
The idea gets drafted into a bill -> written in legal language
A legislator must sponsor the bill
Laws cannot be enforced unless there are ________ _________
Funds available
What are the two types of federal spending
Mandatory spending and Discretionary spending
What is mandatory spending and what are examples
Required by law
Does not take place through appropriations legislation
Ex: SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid, NSLP
Entitlement Programs
- Programs that require provision of benefits to anybody who is eligible
Congress can affect spending by changing eligibility requirements
What is discretionary spending and what is an example
It is optional
Requires annual appropriations bill
Ex: WIC
Appropriation
The president submits a budget to Congress for the federal government every fiscal year
- Congress then passes appropriations bills to provide money to carry out government departments, agencies and programs for that year
What is appropriation
When money is set aside money for a specific and particular purpose or purposes
What are appropriations bills
Provides the legal authority needed to spend or obligate U.S Treasury funds
- There are 12 annual appropriations bills which together fund the entire federal government
- Must all be enacted prior to the start of a new fiscal year
- Congress sets funding every year
Why do government shutdowns occur?
Government shutdowns occur when funding legislation required to finance the federal government is not enacted before the next fiscal year begins
Why are US government shutdowns important to nutrition professionals?
Agency activities and services stop, non-essential operations stop, non-essential workers are furloughed
- Retain only essential employees in departments that protect human life or property
- close national parks and institutions
After a law is passed…
Rules are made
What happens during the pre-rule phase after a law is passed
Agencies charged with implementing the law (e.g. USDA) have to interpret how the law will be put into practice and what penalties will be imposed if the law is violated
“The details”
What happens during the proposed rule phase after a law is passed
Federal law requires a period of public comment (30-60 days) on proposed rules
*Opportunity for community nutritionists and dietitians
What happens during the final rule phase after a law is passed
After comments, final rules are issued & published in the Code of Federal Regulations
What is the federal register
A weekly publication that contains all rules and proposed rules
What is regulations.gov
The place submit your comments on proposed rules
What is a law
System of regulations that are made to govern people, to help them in their conduct according to the norms of the society
More general in nature, and not complicated. We get to see what we should do and not do directly.
What should be and what shouldn’t be done. To protect people from unfair practices and to maintain public order
What is an act
Piece of legislation that is more specific and applies to particular circumstances and specific people
Acts are made by the government, to let people know about provisions pertaining to a specific situation, and how and why public is required to follow these mandatory rules and regulations
Through an Act, the ideas of the gov’t are made mandatory for people of the country
Why and how laws are enforced. To let people know the rules and regulations about specific situations
What is the difference between the law vs. acts
Laws are what should be and should not be done, to protect people from unfair practices and maintain public order while acts are why and how laws are enforced, to let people know the rules and regulations about specific situations
Example: There are laws against drunk driving and people are aware of them while DUI is the specific act that pertains to drunk driving
What is the Agricultural Act (Farm Bill)
Comprehensive legislation that governs America’s nutrition and agriculture policy
- includes food security programs (SNAP)
How often is the agricultural act (farm bill) renewed
Renewed every 5 years through reauthorization process
What are the nutrition programs covered by the Agricultural Act
Domestic food and nutrition and commodity distribution
- For Americans below the poverty line: SNAP, TEFAP
- For Seniors: Commodity Supplemental food program, Seniors Farmers Markets
- For children and low income families: USDA snack program, community food project grants
- For American Indians: Food distribution programs
- For Urban Agriculture: Urban food Enterprise development center
When did the farm bill become law
2018
What is the Child Nutrition and WIC reauthorization act
Authorizes all federal school meal and child nutrition programs
What are the programs included in the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act
WIC and WIC Farmers Market Program
National School Lunch Program
School Breakfast program
Child and Adult Care Food program
Summer Food Service program
Afterschool Snack and Meal program
Special Milk program
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program
Does the child nutrition and WIC reauthorization act include SNAP?
No
How often is the CN&WICRA authorized
The programs are permanently authorized
- Congress reviews and reauthorizes every ~5 years
What is the history of the CN&WICRA
Richard B. Russell National School lunch Act
- Signed by President Truman in 1946
- First established the national school lunch program
Child Nutrition Act
- Signed by President Johnson in 1966
- First established the school breakfast program
Setbacks in 1980s and 90s
- Budget cuts
- Weakened nutrition standards
Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
- Included the most significant changes to child nutrition programs since the 1970s including healthier school meal standards
What the changes of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act for the CN&WICRA
Changes for schools:
- Healthier school meal standards
- Increase of six cents in the reimbursement rate per meal
- Reduced paperwork for parents and schools
- Mandatory Funding of Farm-to-School Grant program
Changes for WIC:
- Electronic benefit transfer (EBT) system
What is the Nutrition Labeling and Education act of 1990
The FDA oversees labeling:
- Requires nutrition labeling of most foods (that are regulated by the FDA)
- Regulates nutrition content claims (e.g. “high fiber)
Helps consumers make informed food choices and maintain healthy dietary practices
What is the federal food, drug and cosmetic act
Nutrition labeling amendment passed in the Affordable care act of 2010
Calorie and other nutrition information be provided to customers in restaurants
Overview of the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act
Mandates National Nutrition Monitoring and research
Mandates the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
(Nutrition policy making, nutrition research, nutrition monitoring)
