WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) introduced the Accountable Produce is Medicine Act, legislation to expand access to Food is Medicine programs that help Americans prevent chronic disease through healthy nutrition.
Poor diet is the leading risk factor contributing to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and certain cancers. According to the CDC, obesity accounted for $173 billion in direct medical costs in 2019.
The bill directs the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a pilot bundled payment model supporting programs that provide regionally sourced healthy foods, nutrition counseling, and care coordination.
Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) said, “The best way to lower health care costs is to help Americans stay healthy in the first place. This bill invests in Food is Medicine and nutrition programs that are proven to work.”
Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said, “Our bill would connect families to locally grown produce, providing them with better access to fresh whole foods that prevent chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Good food is preventative care, and we owe it to our communities to ensure they can access healthy food that supports their health and well-being.”
Key Provisions of the Accountable Produce is Medicine Act:
- Directs CMS to establish a pilot bundled payment model for qualifying Food is Medicine programs.
- Supports programs that provide regionally sourced healthy foods, nutrition counseling, and care coordination.
- Provides funding for Food is Medicine programs, allowing hospitals and health departments to expand existing initiatives and encourage new programs nationwide.
The legislation builds on successful Food is Medicine initiatives already operating in hospitals, health systems, state Medicaid programs, and public health agencies. These programs have demonstrated improved health outcomes, reduced hospitalizations, and lowered health care costs by integrating nutrition into patient care.
The legislation is supported by MAHA Action, National Produce Prescription Collaborative, Coalition for Metabolic Health, Kellyn Foundation, International Fresh Produce Association, School of Global Health, Healthcare Partnerships, Hunger Free Kansas, Texas Health Resources, Fresh RX Oklahoma, National Alliance to Impact Social Determinants of Health, Mosaic Life Care, and the Sunflower Foundation.
Full bill text can be found here.
