BURBANK : Dietetic Group Seeks Moorhead’s Support

Republican Rep. Carlos Moorhead, touring a Burbank food bank Thursday, criticized President Clinton’s health care plan as impractical but said that including nutrition therapy in any plan would save money.

Moorhead had been invited to Burbank by the Los Angeles chapter of the California Dietetic Assn., which wants his support for including the services of a registered dietitian among those covered by a national health care program.

The group supports the use of medical nutrition therapy--a way of using diet to prevent serious health problems.

Bettye Nowlin, a legislative coordinator for the group, said that they are trying to ensure that the therapy is included somehow in any health care reform legislation.

Cherie Combs, executive director of the Burbank Temporary Aid Center, showed Moorhead the empty plastic containers of cottage cheese that are used as bowls and demonstrated World War II army surplus can openers, which are not much bigger than a fingernail.

Eight years ago, the food bank had a budget of $80,000, which has grown to $290,000 today, Combs said.

“Unfortunately, with the community in Burbank, the (hunger) problem is getting worse,” she added.

Moorhead suggested that Combs work with local churches to raise more money.