Katherine Heim
Dr. Gholson
English 210-07
12/2/2013
The Freed Act
Because up to 24 million people suffer from some type of eating disorder in America, congress should pass the Freed Act bill in order to get more research, education and prevention in schools and easier access to treatments to help fight this growing disease. The Freed Act is a bill that was written by eating disorder professionals, researchers, treatment providers, parents, and sufferers to eliminate eating disorders.
A 35-member organization called the Eating Disorder Coalition, invited experts and individuals who cared about eating disorders to Capital Hill in 2004 and 2005. They were invited to brainstorm ideas to create this bill that would eventually save many lives. Twice a year, professionals and advocates for this disease travel to Washington D.C. to talk to members of Congress. This day is called The National Lobby Day. The objective is to spread awareness of eating disorders in the United States. After coming up with the bill later known as the Freed Act, the Policy Director, Jeanine Cogan, was determined to find someone in Congress that had just as big of passion in getting this bill passed. She was also trying to find people that would be willing to present the bill to Congress. That is when Congressman Patrick Kennedy became top on the list and a perfect candidate in helping getting the bill passed (The Freed Act).
After 5 years of hard work, dedication, and several drafts were written, it was finally time to introduce the bill in the House on February 25, 2009. Then, on April 26, 2010, the Senate version of the freed act was introduced. Overall, sixty-two co sponsors were gained in favor of the Freed Act. However, in order to get the bill passed into law, more co sponsors were needed. When describing the bill, Kitty Westin, EDC's President, said, “This bill is the solution to the devastation that is caused by eating disorders. It offers answers, brings hope and will save...