A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — 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.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill is known as the Food is Medicine Access Act of 2026. It amends title XI of the Social Security Act to change the anti-kickback statute and other sanctions. The change excludes certain remunerations for providing food or nutrition services to individuals. These items and services must be part of an evidence-based food for health program to treat, manage, or prevent diet-related health conditions. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is given duties regarding implementation, such as considering clinical and financial needs and establishing methods to protect against fraud and abuse. The amendments will apply to remunerations provided or offered on or after the date that is 18 months after the enactment of the Act.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consider individuals' financial needs when specifying classes of individuals eligible for food and nutrition services.
- Scored +6
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
By excluding specific food and nutrition services from anti-kickback sanctions under evidence-based programs, the bill improves access to holistic health interventions for managing diet-related conditions.
- Scored +5
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Older adults managing diet-related health conditions can benefit from evidence-based food and nutrition programs authorized by the legislation.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Access to Food and Nutrition Services: Section 2(a) adds a new subparagraph (M) to section 1128B(b)(3) of the Social Security Act. This provision allows for food or nutrition items and services to be provided or offered to an individual as part of an evidence-based food for health program. This can be positive because it includes specific offerings like pantry stocking, nutrition prescriptions, medically-tailored groceries, medically-tailored meals, transportation to acquire foods, medical nutrition therapy, nutrition education and counseling, and in-kind vouchers to acquire food or nutrition items or services for treating, managing, or preventing diet-related health conditions.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: Based strictly on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions identified that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consider individuals' financial needs when specifying classes of individuals eligible for food and nutrition services. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Individuals with chronic or diet-related health conditions, including many with disabilities, benefit from improved access to medically tailored meals and nutrition therapy. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Older adults managing diet-related health conditions can benefit from evidence-based food and nutrition programs authorized by the legislation. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-income households dealing with specific diet-related health conditions may benefit from expanded food-as-medicine programs. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans with diet-related health conditions can access evidence-based food and nutrition services under the expanded provisions.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — By excluding specific food and nutrition services from anti-kickback sanctions under evidence-based programs, the bill improves access to holistic health interventions for managing diet-related conditions. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill supports health-related food interventions for individuals with clinical and financial needs, impacting public healthcare programs. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill amends the Social Security Act to permit certain food and nutrition services within healthcare programs, facilitating better health management for beneficiaries.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Providing medically-tailored meals, groceries, and pantry stocking helps alleviate food insecurity for vulnerable populations.
- 10/29/2026
- 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.
- Introduced in House