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.

Raul Ruiz

Democrat · CA · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

1 cosponsor on record at Congress.gov. The named list is syncing into Govwatch and will appear here shortly — view on Congress.gov in the meantime.

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.

2026-04-20

Source: Congress.gov

This bill would require Medicare and Medicaid to cover certain food and nutrition services for eligible patients, treating nutritional support as a covered medical benefit rather than leaving it to patients to pay for themselves. The change would affect seniors on Medicare, low-income individuals on Medicaid, and potentially healthcare providers who would deliver these services. Currently, these programs have limited coverage for nutrition-related care, so this would expand what doctors can prescribe and what insurance will pay for.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8391 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8391 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. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 20, 2026 Mr. Ruiz introduced the following bill; which was 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 _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL 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. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. REQUIRING COVERAGE OF CERTAIN FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES UNDER MEDICARE AND MEDICAID. (a) Coverage Under Medicare.-- (1) In general.--Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)) is amended-- (A) in subparagraph (JJ), by striking ``and'' at the end; (B) in subparagraph (KK), by adding ``and'' at the end; and (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(LL) food and nutrition services meeting such requirements as the Secretary shall specify;''. (2) Payment.--Section 1833(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)) is amended-- (A) by striking ``and'' before ``(HH)''; and (B) by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: ``, and (II) with respect to specified food and nutrition services under section 1861(s)(2)(LL), the amounts paid shall be equal to 80 percent of the actual charge for the services''. (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to items and services furnished on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section. (b) Coverage Under Medicaid.-- (1) In general.--Section 1905(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)) is amended-- (A) in paragraph (31), by striking ``and'' at the end; (B) by redesignating paragraph (32) as paragraph (33); and (C) by inserting after paragraph (31) the following new paragraph: ``(32) food and nutrition services meeting such requirements as the Secretary shall specify; and''. (2) Mandatory benefit.--Section 1902(a)(10)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)) is amended, in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``and (30)'' and inserting ``(30), and (32)''. (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to items and services furnished on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section. <all>

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