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Rhode IslandS28922026 Regular SessionSenate

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- FOOD-AS-MEDICINE PILOT PROGRAM .

Sponsored By: Victoria Gu (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Medicaid pilot for food as medicine

Rhode Island’s health agency can seek federal approval to run a Medicaid food-as-medicine pilot. The pilot can cover medically tailored meals and other nutrition help. It focuses on enrollees with chronic, diet-related disease and high nutrition needs. The state may partner with meal providers, health systems, and Medicaid plans and use value-based payments. The pilot starts only after federal approval and if funding is available, with data and evaluation required.

Task force to design meal pilot

The law creates a Food-as-Medicine Task Force in the state health agency. The first meeting happens within 90 days of the law’s effective date. Members include state leaders, insurers, hospitals, a meal provider, clinicians, a dietitian, lawmakers, and a public member. The group designs who qualifies, which services to offer, how to pay, and how to measure results. It must deliver a report with recommendations by December 31, 2026.

No new state spending without funding

The law does not require new state spending for this pilot. The state can act only if federal approval, current funds, or a future appropriation provide money. This limits expansion unless funding is approved.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Victoria Gu

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Alana M. DiMario

    Democratic • Senate

  • Louis P. DiPalma

    Democratic • Senate

  • Pamela J. Lauria

    Democratic • Senate

  • Valarie J. Lawson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Melissa A. Murray

    Democratic • Senate

  • Thomas J. Paolino

    Republican • Senate

  • David P. Tikoian

    Democratic • Senate

  • Bridget Valverde

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lammis J. Vargas

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 101 • No: 8

House vote • 6/11/2026

FOOD-AS-MEDICINE PILOT PROGRAM PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE

Yes: 63 • No: 8

Senate vote • 6/9/2026

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- FOOD-AS-MEDICINE PILOT PROGRAM Passage

Yes: 38 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 131

    6/18/2026Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/16/2026Governor

  3. House passed Sub A in concurrence

    6/11/2026House

  4. Placed on House Calendar (06/11/2026)

    6/10/2026House

  5. Senate passed Sub A

    6/9/2026Senate

  6. Placed on Senate Calendar (06/09/2026)

    6/4/2026Senate

  7. Committee recommends passage of Sub A

    6/2/2026

  8. Proposed Substitute

    6/1/2026

  9. Scheduled for consideration (06/02/2026)

    5/29/2026

  10. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    3/10/2026

  11. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/10/2026)

    3/6/2026

  12. Introduced, referred to Senate Health and Human Services

    3/4/2026Senate

Bill Text

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