National Food as Medicine Program Act of 2026

This bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services to give grants to states to plan, start, expand, or evaluate Food as Medicine programs run through Medicaid waivers. These programs provide food prescribed by a health care professional, such as tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and nutrition counseling, to people eligible under the waiver. States would use the funds to provide locally or regionally sourced farm products grown using organic or regenerative methods, or by farms moving toward those methods, and would report results to the Secretary. The Department of Agriculture would make agreements with land-grant universities, food hubs, and regional food centers to help farmers connect with local health care providers. Within one year, HHS would issue guidance for states, with a public comment period, and would report to Congress on the program.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Raul Ruiz Democrat sponsor
• 1 cosponsors