Bill > S4598

Introduced Session

This bill establishes a three-year "Food is Medicine NJ Pilot Program" within the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Health, and appropriates $5,000,000. The purpose of the pilot program is to adopt a nutrition program that integrates food-based interventions directly into the State's healthcare system in effort to enhance overall public health and reduce healthcare costs in the State. The pilot program will consist of delivering medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and nutrition education to Medicaid recipients with diet-related chronic illnesses. A third party evaluator will measure the effectiveness of the program on reductions in emergency room visits and hospitalizations, changes in medication adherence and biometric indicators such as A1C blood tests and blood pressure measurement, and overall cost savings to the Medicaid program. New Jersey is grappling with serious challenges stemming from widespread food insecurity, increasing rates of chronic disease, and the escalating costs associated with healthcare. Diet-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are among the leading causes of death and healthcare spending in New Jersey. In 2022, 26 percent of hospitalized patients in the State had eight or more chronic conditions, highlighting the growing burden of preventable illnesses. Compounding this issue, healthcare costs linked to food insecurity totaled over $1.3 billion in 2016, amounting to approximately $150 per resident. The Department of Human Services "Food is Medicine NJ Pilot Program" will present an interim report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature no later than 18 months after the enactment of the bill. A final report will be submitted by the third year following the bill's enactment. The program will expire 30 days after the issuance of its report.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Troy Singleton (D)*,  Benjie Wimberly (D), 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 06/09/2025)

Official Document