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119-hr-8390119th CongressWALLET

National Food as Medicine Program Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a federal program to fund Medicaid 'Food as Medicine' initiatives. This bill would fund state grants and USDA technical assistance to link medically supportive meals, produce prescriptions, and nutrition counseling with locally or regionally sourced farmers using regenerative or organic methods.

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  • Families & Medicaid enrollees: Would gain access to medically supportive meals, produce prescriptions, and nutrition coaching tailored by registered dietitian nutritionists to address chronic conditions and food insecurity.
  • Farmers and food hubs: Beginning and socially disadvantaged producers would get priority for USDA technical help and infrastructure support to sell into health care procurement through food hubs and regional centers.
  • States and health systems: Could receive grants to plan, implement, expand, and evaluate Food as Medicine waiver programs and must report program impacts, including Medicaid and health-care use, at least three years after a grant is awarded.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More food-based help for Medicaid

If enacted, the bill would fund grants to states to plan and run Food as Medicine programs through Medicaid waivers. If you are on Medicaid in a state that gets a grant, you would be able to receive medically prescribed, culturally appropriate whole foods, tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and nutrition coaching. The HHS Secretary would issue guidance within one year, with a 30-day public comment period and a rule that final guidance cannot be issued until 60 days after comments close. States that get grants would have to submit an evaluation to HHS not less than three years after the grant award.

Help for farmers to sell to health programs

If enacted, the USDA would make cooperative agreements to fund technical assistance and infrastructure that help producers connect with local health care Food as Medicine programs. The department would prioritize help for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and for producers using regenerative or organic methods or verified community programs. Eligible partners would include land-grant universities, food hubs, and Regional Food Business Centers. The bill does not set specific dollar amounts for these agreements.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

    IN • D

    Sponsored 6/10/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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