What does Preamble of National Food as Medicine Program Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled 'To provide for the establishment or expansion of Food as Medicine programs, and for other purposes.'

What does SHORT TITLE. of National Food as Medicine Program Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the National Food as Medicine Program Act of 2026.

What does FOOD AS MEDICINE MEDICAID WAIVER GRANT PROGRAM. of National Food as Medicine Program Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes a Food as Medicine Medicaid Waiver Grant Program administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The Secretary will award grants to States to plan, implement, expand, or evaluate Food as Medicine programs. States seeking grants must submit applications to the Secretary. Priority for grant awards will be given to States with partnerships involving healthcare providers or organizations providing locally-sourced agricultural products. Grant funds must be used to establish, implement, and expand Food as Medicine interventions to reduce nutrition-related chronic conditions and address food and nutrition insecurity. States receiving grants must provide a report to the Secretary within three years, evaluating the program's impact. The program defines 'Food as Medicine program' as one providing medically supportive food and nutrition interventions under a Medicaid waiver. Medically supportive food and nutrition interventions include meals, produce prescriptions, and nutrition coaching, tailored to individual health conditions and aligned with dietary guidelines.

What does DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD AS MEDICINE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE of National Food as Medicine Program Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes the Department of Agriculture Food as Medicine Technical Assistance Program. The Secretary of Agriculture will enter into cooperative agreements with eligible entities to provide technical assistance and infrastructure support to producers. The purpose of this assistance is to enable producers to connect with local health care providers for providing nutritious food under a Food is Medicine program. Eligible entities can collaborate with Regional Food Business Centers. Applications for cooperative agreements must be submitted to the Secretary. Priority will be given to applications supporting beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Priority will also be given to applications supporting producers of agricultural products produced using covered methods or verified through community-based programs. Eligible entities include land-grant colleges or universities, food hubs, and Regional Food Business Centers.

What does REPORT TO CONGRESS. of National Food as Medicine Program Act of 2026 do?

This section requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to submit a report to Congress. The report must be submitted within one year of the date the first grant is awarded under section 2. The report will include information received from the States under section 2. The report will also include the Secretary's recommendations regarding best practices for carrying out a Food is Medicine program.

What does FOOD AS MEDICINE GUIDANCE. of National Food as Medicine Program Act of 2026 do?

This section directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and issue recommendations and guidance related to Food as Medicine programs. The guidance should include recommendations for States and counties to implement or expand such programs, clinical nutrition training, and nutritional support for patients. The guidance will address eligibility criteria, intervention plan duration, procurement of food from socially disadvantaged farmers, provider determination, and continuing education. The Secretary must provide a 30-day public comment period and will not finalize guidance until 60 days after the comment period closes. Consultation will occur with various officials and stakeholders, including heads of HHS agencies, the Secretary of Agriculture, and representatives from community organizations, farms, food hubs, healthcare providers, and Medicaid managed care organizations.

Back to bills

National Food as Medicine Program Act of 2026

Last updated: 4/20/2026 · Introduced: 4/20/2026

Author: Raul Ruiz (D-CA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a grant program for states to implement or expand 'Food as Medicine' programs within Medicaid, providing medically supportive food and nutrition interventions like meals and produce prescriptions to address chronic conditions and food insecurity.
The Department of Agriculture will provide technical assistance and infrastructure support to farmers and ranchers, prioritizing socially disadvantaged producers, to facilitate connections with healthcare providers for Food as Medicine programs.
The Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Agriculture must jointly report to Congress on best practices for Food as Medicine programs, including evaluations from states receiving grants and recommendations for program implementation.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 4 more.

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