A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 20 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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
This bill requires federal health programs to cover medically necessary food, vitamins, and individual amino acids for individuals with specific digestive and inherited metabolic disorders. Programs affected include Medicare, Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. The bill defines what qualifies as medically necessary food and sets rules for what conditions are covered. It also expresses the sense of Congress that private health insurance plans should provide similar coverage. Finally, the legislation states that existing state laws providing greater coverage are not preempted.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +9
Would children be better off under this?
The bill specifically targets conditions that are critical in pediatric populations to prevent developmental issues.
- Scored +8
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill enhances coverage through Medicaid and CHIP, which serve low-income populations.
- Scored +8
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill provides essential coverage for those with severe nutritional-related disabilities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Medicare Coverage for Medically Necessary Food: Section 3(a) adds coverage under Medicare Part B for medically necessary food, low protein modified food products, amino acid preparation products, modified fat preparation products, nutritional formulas, vitamins, and individual amino acids, along with the equipment and supplies needed to administer them. This helps patients with covered conditions get vital nutrition prescribed by their doctor without paying entirely out of pocket.
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Medicaid and CHIP Benefits: Sections 3(b) and 3(c) require State Medicaid plans and the State Children's Health Insurance Program to include coverage for medically necessary food and the equipment and supplies needed for administration. This ensures low-income children and families dealing with severe metabolic or digestive disorders have access to life-sustaining nutrition.
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Federal Employee Health Plan Protection: Section 3(d) requires health plan contracts under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to provide coverage for medically necessary food and necessary administration equipment and supplies. This directly benefits federal workers and their families who require specialized nutritional care.
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Support for Private Insurance Expansion: Section 3(e) expresses the sense of Congress that all private health insurance plans should also provide coverage of and access to medically necessary food for individuals with certain digestive and metabolic disorders. This encourages broader health security outside of government-run programs.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Exclusion of Certain Diets and Conditions: Section 3(a)(2) explicitly excludes foods taken as part of an overall diet to reduce disease risk or for weight loss, gluten-free foods marketed for celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and foods marketed for the management of diabetes from the definition of medically necessary food. Individuals seeking coverage for these specific dietary needs will not receive assistance under these federal program expansions.
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Delayed Implementation Timelines: Sections 3(a)(4), 3(b)(3), 3(c)(3), and 3(d)(2) stagger the effective dates for these new coverages, ranging from one year to three years after the date of enactment, plus potential delays if state legislation is required for Medicaid and CHIP. Patients who need these specialized foods immediately may face continued out-of-pocket costs and delays before federal programs actually begin providing the required coverage.
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 children be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets conditions that are critical in pediatric populations to prevent developmental issues. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill enhances coverage through Medicaid and CHIP, which serve low-income populations. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill provides essential coverage for those with severe nutritional-related disabilities. Would retired people be better off under this? — The bill expands Medicare coverage, benefiting the retiree population. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill expands Medicare coverage for medically necessary food. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Coverage extends to adults with metabolic disorders. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill expands coverage for those enrolled in FEHBP. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Coverage extends to adults with metabolic disorders.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill significantly improves access to essential nutritional treatments through various federal programs. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill mandates coverage for medically necessary food under the Medicaid program. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill expands Medicare coverage to include medically necessary food and administration supplies. Does this lower what a hospital stay costs? — Preventing malnutrition and complications via formula coverage can reduce hospitalizations and emergency visits.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill assists individuals with metabolic and digestive disorders that function as disabilities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal mandates for coverage in Medicaid and CHIP.
- 11/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/1/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/30/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/8/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/18/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/18/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 10/17/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 10/3/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jake AuchinclossDemocrat · Massachusetts
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Sharice DavidsDemocrat · Kansas
Dwight EvansDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Jonathan JacksonDemocrat · Illinois
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Joseph MorelleDemocrat · New York
Morgan McGarveyDemocrat · Kentucky
John MannionDemocrat · New York
Sarah McBrideDemocrat · Delaware
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine
John RutherfordRepublican · Florida
Emily RandallDemocrat · Washington
Kim SchrierDemocrat · Washington
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Nikema WilliamsDemocrat · Georgia
James WalkinshawDemocrat · Virginia