New MAHA Laws Require Nutrition CME for Doctors

 New "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) laws in Louisiana and Texas will require physicians to complete continuing medical education (CME) in nutrition.

The new mandate in Louisiana was touted in a recent announcementopens in a new tab or window from HHS, and the Texas action was signed into lawopens in a new tab or window last month.

Starting in 2026, physicians and physician assistants in Louisiana will be required to complete a minimum of 1 hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health every 4 years, according to the new lawopens in a new tab or window. The state's medical board will adopt rules to determine the specific content of the continuing education.

The 1-hour minimum will be included in -- not in addition to -- the total number of hours required by the board.

"Our physicians do believe that 1 hour every 4 years is more than sufficient," Jeff Williams, executive vice president and CEO of the Louisiana State Medical Society, told MedPage Today in an email. "Physicians, particularly those who are younger, have been receiving nutrition in school and already discuss nutrition with their patients. For them, the challenge may be finding a course that qualifies and is new information."

In the short term, the challenge will be determining which courses will earn physicians the appropriate credits, Williams said. In the long run, the challenge will be "determining what's new to teach," he added. "Sure, there are changes here and there in science and nutrition, but I don't believe you'll see such extreme changes that will make new course content necessary."

"A physician won't be involved in the discussion surrounding the now banned ingredients [i.e. restricted artificial food dyes and preservatives in school meals also included in the new law] or how to market products," he continued. "None of those items in the legislation are relevant to them, so the question becomes, will this just be repetitive for them?"

While Williams pointed to Louisiana and Texas as states that have enacted nutrition CME requirements, he noted that this is "likely being discussed elsewhere."

Indeed, Louisiana, Texas, California, and New York have addressed CME in nutrition, though to varying degrees, according to a search for similar state legislation in recent years conducted by National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) staff in response to an inquiry from MedPage Today.

In Texas, the new law requires physicians who submit an application for licensure renewal to complete CME in nutrition and metabolic healthopens in a new tab or window, similar to the language in Louisiana's law. Legislation introduced in the state could also require medical schools to include at least 3 hours of coursework in nutritionopens in a new tab or window, covering topics like caloric intake, diet modifications, proper nutrition to prevent certain conditions and diseases, and additives commonly found in foods and beverages in the U.S.

California law specifies that the state medical board encourage physicians and surgeonsopens in a new tab or window to take nutrition as part of their continuing education, especially physicians and surgeons involved in primary care. And legislation introduced in New York would mandate that physicians completeopens in a new tab or window 3 hours of approved coursework or training in nutrition every 4 years.

NCSL noted that it is not currently aware of a comprehensive list of states with similar requirements. (NCSL also stated it takes no position on the legislation or laws.)

The topic of medical education in nutrition has been a priority for HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Last month, MedPage Today reported on Kennedy's plans to pull medical schools' funding if they don't teach nutritionopens in a new tab or window.

Medical organizations have cited a need for nutrition training in medical school, MedPage Today reported at the time, and nutrition experts contended there is room for improvement in terms of the extensiveness of courses and a greater focus on prevention.

Kim Williams, MD, of the University of Louisville in Kentucky, told MedPage Today that he "definitely would agree" that all physicians should receive nutrition education.

He said there is a need for "far more understanding" in this area. However, it is essential to "make sure that the CME hours are evidence-based." He said he hopes it will include evidence of the benefits of a whole food plant-based diet.

If the trend of nutrition CME laws spreads across the country, Williams said, "everyone in the plant-based community needs to throw their hat in the ring to be a CE broker."

https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/features/116421