August 27, 2026
Mr. Morelle introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Education and Workforce, 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
To establish a supplemental food and nutrition services grant program, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Improving Health Through Integrated Food and Nutrition Services at Federally Qualified Health Centers Act
.
Sec. 2. Findings
The Congress finds the following:
(1)
Millions of Americans face food insecurity, which is a key driver of poor health outcomes and chronic disease.
(2)
Federally qualified health centers are uniquely positioned to integrate food and nutrition services into clinical care.
(3)
Federally qualified health centers serve populations that are disproportionately affected by food insecurity, chronic disease, and limited access to affordable, nutritious food. Addressing food access as a health intervention is essential to improving patient outcomes and reducing long-term health care costs.
Sec. 3. Supplemental food and nutrition services grant program
(a) Establishment
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, (in this section referred to as the Secretary
) shall establish a program to award grants, on a competitive basis, to Federally qualified health centers to—
(1)
implement food insecurity screening tools;
(2)
operate on-site food pantries;
(3)
partner with food banks, farms, and nutrition assistance programs;
(4)
employ registered dieticians and nutrition professionals; and
(5)
offer culturally tailored nutrition education.
(b) Applications
To be eligible for a grant under this section, a Federally qualified health center shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(c) Technical assistance and capacity building
The Secretary shall provide to recipients of grants under this section—
(1)
training and best practices for integrating food and nutrition services into care delivery; and
(2)
support for data collection, evaluation, and reporting.
(d) Coordination with Federal nutrition programs
In administering the program under this section, the Secretary shall coordinate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to—
(1)
streamline referrals and enrollment in—
(A)
the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) (in this section referred to as SNAP
);
(B)
the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786) (in this section referred to as WIC
); and
(C)
other nutrition programs;
(2)
encourage Medicaid waivers or demonstration projects that support nutrition services as reimbursable care; and
(3)
explore opportunities under value-based payment models to fund food and nutrition interventions.
(e) Reporting and evaluation
As a condition of receiving a grant under this section, a Federally qualified health center shall agree to submit to the Secretary annual reports detailing—
(1)
the number of patients served by the grant;
(2)
the number of referrals to, and enrollments in, SNAP, WIC, and other nutrition programs; and
(3)
the community partnerships and resource utilization facilitated by the grant.
(f) Federally qualified health center defined
In this section, the term Federally qualified health center has the meaning given the term in section 1861(aa) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa)).
(g) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.