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119-hr-8391119th CongressWALLET

To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to require coverage of certain food and nutrition services under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

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

Introduced

Summary

This bill would add coverage for *food and nutrition services* to both Medicare and Medicaid, while leaving the exact eligibility and service rules to the Health Secretary.

Show full summary
  • People on Medicare could receive specified food and nutrition services when they meet the Secretary's requirements. Medicare payment for those services is set at 80 percent of the actual charge and applies to items furnished 180 days after enactment.
  • Medicaid enrollees would have these services listed as a covered, mandatory Medicaid benefit once the Secretary defines qualifying services. The change applies to items and services furnished 180 days after enactment.
  • The Health Secretary must write the rules that define what counts as food and nutrition services. The bill itself does not spell out those service details.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Medicaid food and nutrition coverage

If enacted, this bill would add "food and nutrition services" as a covered Medicaid item when those services meet requirements the Secretary would specify. The bill would make that item a mandatory Medicaid benefit, so states would be required to cover qualifying services for enrollees. The change would apply to items and services furnished on or after 180 days after enactment. The bill does not set payment rates or new federal funding for these services.

Medicare food and nutrition coverage

If enacted, this bill would add "food and nutrition services" to items Medicare can cover when those services meet requirements the Secretary would specify. For qualifying services, Medicare would pay 80 percent of the actual charge for each service. The change would apply to items and services furnished on or after 180 days after enactment. The Secretary would set the detailed program rules and eligibility criteria.

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.

View on Congress.gov
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