Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21), has introduced the Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders Act of 2013 to help fight the most deadly of all mental illnesses. H.R. 2101 would improve the prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of eating disorders, which afflict an estimated 14 million Americans. The FREED Act would expand critical federal research aimed at better understanding anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders, improving treatment outcomes, and gaining a more accurate glimpse into their prevalence and their impact on families and our economy. This legislation will also help train health professionals and educators to better identify, screen for, prevent, and treat eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Finally, the FREED Act will prevent insurance companies from discriminating against those with eating disorders by providing the same level of coverage offered for physical illnesses. 

“Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, and yet those suffering too often find themselves marginalized and without treatment,” said Congressman Deutch. “The ignorance in our society surrounding eating disorders is costing us lives, and the federal government has a responsibility to take action. I have sponsored the FREED Act to better educate our communities about eating disorders, expand federal research, and ultimately improve access and quality of treatment before it’s too late.” 

The bill is supported by the Eating Disorders Coalition and The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness, a national organization focused on outreach, education and prevention of eating disorders based in Palm Beach County. “For too long, people have been suffering from eating disorders in silence, unable to get the help that they need,” said Johanna Kandel, CEO of the Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness and President of the Eating Disorders Coalition. “The FREED Act will not only help us to better understand eating disorders, it will improve the access to treatment for those currently suffering with an eating disorder. Eating disorders are not a partisan issue, and the FREED Act has the potential to save thousands of lives. We urge Congress to pass this bill quickly.” 

Joining Congressman Deutch as original cosponsors of H.R. 2101 were Reps. Gerald Connolly (VA-11), John Conyers (MI-13), Keith Ellison (MN-5), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20), Hank Johnson (GA-4), Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Carolyn McCarthy (NY-4),  James Moran (VA-8), Patrick Murphy (FL-18), Richard Nolan (MN-8), Chellie Pingree (ME-1), Jared Polis (CO-2), Allyson Schwartz (PA-13), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23).