[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1289 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1289
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and carry out
a pilot program to administer to eligible veterans medically-tailored
meals and groceries, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 13, 2025
Mr. Buchanan (for himself and Ms. Moore of Wisconsin) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and carry out
a pilot program to administer to eligible veterans medically-tailored
meals and groceries, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act
of 2025''.
SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PROGRAM TO ADMINISTER
MEDICALLY-TAILORED MEALS AND GROCERIES TO CERTAIN
ELIGIBLE VETERANS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
establish and carry out a pilot program (to be known as the ``Food is
Medicine program'').
(b) Functions.--Under the Food is Medicine program, the Secretary
shall,
(1) with respect to eligible veterans described in
subsection (c)--
(A) administer medically-tailored meals and
medically-tailored groceries; and
(B) furnish nutrition education and cooking classes
through a registered dieticians, nutritionists, and
community health workers;
(2) develop and seek to implement training programs for
health care providers employed by the Department of Veterans
Affairs with respect to the integration of the Food is Medicine
program in the treatment plans of veterans receiving health
care under the laws administered by the Secretary; and
(3) seek to collaborate with community-based organizations,
including food banks and local agriculture programs, to--
(A) procure fresh and locally-sourced produce; and
(B) expand the availability of medically-tailored
meals and medically-tailored groceries.
(c) Eligibility.--An eligible veteran described in this subsection
is a veteran (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States
Code) who is enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment
established and operated under section 1705 of such section and--
(1) receives health care furnished by the Department with
respect to multiple chronic conditions, including diabetes,
cancer, or heart failure; or
(2) receives such health care with respect to maternal
health, including prenatal care, labor and delivery care,
postpartum care, and is at risk of preeclampsia or gestational
diabetes.
(d) Regional Balance.--In carrying out the Food is Medicine
program, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable ensure
geographic diversity of the pilot program offices of the Food is
Medicine program.
(e) Report.--During the period the authority to carry out the Food
is Medicine program is effective, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress an annual report on such program that includes--
(1) the number of eligible veterans participating in such
program;
(2) with respect to such eligible veterans, a summary of--
(A) health outcomes;
(B) effects on physical and mental health;
(C) quality of life; and
(D) the extent of utilization of health care under
the laws administered by the Secretary;
(3) an evaluation of the effectiveness of such program,
including estimated cost savings to the Department of Veterans
Affairs; and
(4) recommendations of the Secretary with respect to
potential improvements to such program.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), there are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for fiscal years
2025 through 2028 such sums as may be necessary to carry out
the Food is Medicine program.
(2) Use of funds.--Any amounts appropriated pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall be used for--
(A) developing and operating the Food is Medicine
program;
(B) hiring registered dieticians and nutrition
specialists;
(C) conducting research and evaluations; and
(D) establishing partnerships with local
organizations pursuant to subsection (b)(3).
(g) Termination Date.--The authority of the Secretary to carry out
the Food is Medicine program shall terminate on the date that is three
years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(h) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) The term ``medically-tailored groceries'' means
nutritious food for an individual with a diet-sensitive
condition curated to the treatment plan of such individual.
(2) The term ``medically-tailored meals'' means nutritious
meals customized for an individual with a severe chronic
condition or limitation in activities of daily living.
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