Bill > HB26

This bill authorizes Medicaid managed care organizations in Texas to offer nutrition support services as an alternative to certain existing Medicaid plan services, with two key components. First, the bill modifies existing law to allow these organizations to provide medically appropriate, evidence-based mental health, substance use, or nutrition counseling services from a list approved by the state Medicaid managed care advisory committee, with the caveat that recipients are not required to use these alternative services. The bill specifically restricts the nutrition services to counseling and instruction, explicitly prohibiting home-delivered meals, food prescriptions, or grocery support. Second, the bill establishes a pilot program specifically targeting pregnant Medicaid recipients with chronic health conditions like gestational diabetes, hypertension, or obesity, allowing managed care organizations to offer nutrition counseling, medically tailored meals, and other evidence-based nutrition support services designed to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. The pilot program requires the commission to collect and analyze data on participant outcomes and submit a comprehensive report to the legislature, with the program set to terminate on August 31, 2030. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and applies to Medicaid contracts entered into or renewed after that date.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB26