Edit: Department_of_Medical_Assistance_Services_Medicaid_benefit_for_nutrition_services_programs_sunset

Markdown Content:

= HB1434 Department of Medical Assistance Services; Medicaid benefit for nutrition services programs; sunset. =

[https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1094832.PDF Language of the bill as introduced.]

== House Subcommittee Opening Statement ==

=== Introduction ===

HB1434 addresses a major but often overlooked driver of poor health in our Medicaid population: lack of reliable access to nutritious food.

Many Virginians on Medicaid live with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and other diet-related chronic conditions. Their doctors prescribe treatment plans that assume patients can afford healthy food. Too often, that is not the case. Many live in food deserts, rely on convenience stores, or lack the resources to buy nutritious meals.

When people cannot follow basic nutrition guidance, their conditions worsen. That leads to more emergency room visits, more hospitalizations, and higher long-term Medicaid costs. We are already paying for the consequences of poor nutrition through preventable complications and repeated hospital stays.

This bill allows the Department of Medical Assistance Services, with federal approval, to cover evidence-based nutrition services, including counseling, medically tailored meals, and food prescriptions, for individuals with nutrition-related chronic disease.

The goal is to treat food as part of health care and intervene earlier, before conditions become more severe and more expensive to treat.

At this time, we do not yet have a fiscal impact statement on this bill. I would ask counsel to advise the committee on whether a fiscal impact is likely. If so, I am prepared to work with Appropriations and all relevant stakeholders to address those costs responsibly.

I ask that the bill be reported to the appropriate committee (either full or appropriations).

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[[category:2026 Session]]