Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
The National Food as Medicine Program Act of 2026 establishes federal programs to help states create or expand initiatives that provide nutritious food as medical treatment for chronic diseases and food insecurity. The bill creates a grant program through which the Department of Health and Human Services awards funding to states to develop these programs using Medicaid waivers, with priority given to states that partner with healthcare providers and local or regional farms using sustainable farming methods such as organic or regenerative agriculture. States receiving grants must report results within three years, tracking health outcomes like hospital admissions, emergency room visits, and medication use among participants. The Department of Agriculture will also provide technical assistance to farmers, particularly beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers, to help them connect with healthcare providers participating in these programs. Within one year of the law's enactment, the Department of Health and Human Services must issue guidance to states on implementing these programs, including recommendations on patient eligibility, food procurement standards, and healthcare provider training.
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