National Eating Disorders Association

Your contribution makes a difference!

Your tax-deductible donation goes to work immediately to support those affected by eating disorders and to act as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care. Your gifts support our innovative eating disorder prevention programs, our national, toll-free Helpline, NEDAwareness Week activities, research grants to improve treatment and prevention of eating disorders, and more!

Home > Get Involved > Take Action

Make your voice heard with the STAR Program — States for Treatment, Access and Research.

Real people — individuals and families — are the strongest advocates for championing our cause. Together we hope to increase access to treatment for eating disorders by expanding insurance coverage, advocating for quality treatment, increasing public understanding of eating disorders and urging more funding for research.

What does “coverage” mean and why is research important?
Find out if your state offers insurance coverage.
How state advocacy works.
State advocacy updates.
Federal advocacy via the Eating Disorders Coalition.
Join the STAR Program and receive advocacy updates via e-mail.

What does “coverage” mean and why is research important?

Improved insurance coverage means that you or your loved ones will be able to seek and receive adequate treatment for eating disorders. Increased research is crucial to better understand these illnesses. Improved insurance coverage will alleviate the sometimes devastating financial burdens placed on families and encourage doctors to recognize early warning signs in patients, both young and old, deterring potentially life-threatening illnesses.

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Find out if your state offers insurance coverage.

Insurance coverage for eating disorders varies by each state and can change with legislative action. NEDA will make every effort to upload a current listing as we learn of any changes and/or updates. Please keep in mind that this listing is not created by NEDA or in any way do we validate the various nuances within an insurance policy and the needs of anyone in treatment. We strongly recommend these tips:

Read your policy.
Consult your insurance representative.
See if the treatment providers you are contemplating can help you navigate coverage.
Download a document on insurance issues.

Look up information regarding insurance policy in your state.

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How state advocacy works.

As immediate advocacy needs arise related to eating disorders we will inform you here. Effective advocacy involves planning, organizing and a willingness to ask friends to help. Coffee socials, informal meetings and newsletters are great ways to begin the process.

To find out who your state legislator is in your district, go to www.votesmart.org and enter your home zip code.

Join the STAR Program and receive advocacy updates via e-mail.

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Federal advocacy via the Eating Disorders Coalition

NEDA is a founding member of the Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action based in Washington, DC. The coalition’s goals are to:

Increase funding for research, education, prevention, and improved training.
Encourage federal policymakers to improve access to eating disorders care.
Promote the national awareness of eating disorders as a public health problem.

To learn more please visit the Eating Disorders Coalition.

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The National Eating Disorders Association is a strictly nonpartisan organization. NEDA does not support or oppose individual office holders, political parties or candidates. Our advocacy efforts are focused on raising awareness among elected officials and educating them about the issues surrounding eating disorders.