Bills · HR 8391
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 8391Health
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.
This bill makes food and nutrition services a required part of Medicare and Medicaid coverage so that patients can receive healthy meals and nutritional help as part of their standard, government-funded healthcare.AI-written
INTRO APR 20· LAST ACTION APR 20
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
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- Introduced only
tl;dr
AI-writtenRequires Medicare and Medicaid to cover food and nutrition services—like medically tailored meals or nutritional counseling—allowing doctors to treat diet-related illnesses with food as a standard medical benefit.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenDiet-related diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity are among the leading causes of death and healthcare spending in the United States. Currently, the medical system is often better at paying for expensive surgeries or lifelong medications than it is at paying for the healthy food that could prevent or manage those conditions. This bill treats 'food as medicine,' recognizing that proper nutrition is a legitimate medical intervention.
If this becomes law, it could significantly reduce hospital readmissions and long-term healthcare costs by helping patients manage their conditions at home through diet. If it doesn't pass, food and nutrition services will remain a luxury or a 'perk' offered by only some insurance plans, leaving many low-income or elderly patients to choose between paying for healthy, medically-necessary food or other essential needs.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Adds food and nutrition services to Medicare Part B coverage.
It establishes food-based interventions as a standard medical benefit for millions of seniors.
PROVISION 02
Sets the Medicare payment rate at 80% of the actual charge.
It integrates nutrition services into the existing Medicare billing structure used for outpatient care.
PROVISION 03
Makes food and nutrition services a mandatory benefit for all state Medicaid programs.
It ensures that low-income individuals have access to these services regardless of which state they live in.
PROVISION 04
Grants the Secretary of Health and Human Services power to define specific service requirements.
This allows the government to set quality standards and determine which specific types of food or counseling qualify for payment.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
D· California
YRS IN OFFICE
13
BILLS LED
36
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 1 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSAPR 20
Introduced in House
APR 20
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 8391
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedApr 20, 2026
Last actionApr 20, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED APR 20, 2026
House BillHR 8391Health
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.
This bill makes food and nutrition services a required part of Medicare and Medicaid coverage so that patients can receive healthy meals and nutritional help as part of their standard, government-funded healthcare.AI-written
INTRODUCED APR 20, 2026· LAST ACTION APR 20, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
