Medicare and Medicaid would add food and nutrition as covered benefits
In committeeH.R. 8391Latest action
Sponsor: Raul Ruiz · Representative · CA
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Official title: 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.
119th Congress
Topics: Health care
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 8391 requires Medicare and Medicaid to cover food and nutrition services, with Medicare paying 80% and patients 20%.
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What does this do?
HR 8391 would require Medicare and Medicaid to cover food and nutrition services, including things like medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling. The Secretary of Health and Human Services would define exactly which services qualify. Both programs would be required to include this coverage 180 days after the bill is .
Who does it affect?
Medicare covers roughly 65 million Americans, mostly adults 65 and older and certain people with disabilities. Medicaid covers about 80 million lower-income Americans, including children, pregnant women, adults, and people with disabilities.
Why does it matter?
Healthcare providers who offer nutrition-related services would have a clearer path to reimbursement through Medicare and Medicaid. States that run Medicaid would be required to treat this as a mandatory benefit rather than an optional one.
What does it cost, and who pays?
- Medicare pays 80% of service cost
- Patients typically owe 20%
- Medicaid states must cover as mandatory
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedApr 20, 2026
- House committeeYou are here · Apr 20, 2026
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — 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.