Bill
Bill > A5934
NJ A5934
NJ A5934Establishes the "Food is Medicine NJ Pilot Program" in DHS; appropriates $5,000,000.
summary
Introduced
07/24/2025
07/24/2025
In Committee
07/24/2025
07/24/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
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
This bill establishes the "Food is Medicine NJ Pilot Program" within the Department of Human Services to address diet-related chronic diseases and healthcare costs in New Jersey. The three-year pilot program will serve up to 10,000 Medicaid recipients by delivering medically tailored meals to 3,000 high-risk participants with complex chronic conditions like diabetes, heart failure, renal disease, cancer, or obesity-related illnesses, and providing produce prescriptions and nutrition education to an additional 7,000 at-risk participants. Eligibility requires NJ FamilyCare enrollment and referral by a healthcare provider. A third-party evaluator will assess the program's effectiveness by measuring reductions in emergency room visits, hospitalizations, medication adherence, and biometric indicators, as well as potential Medicaid cost savings. The Department of Human Services will submit an interim report 18 months after enactment and a final report by the third year, with $5,000,000 appropriated to fund the initiative. The program aims to address New Jersey's significant challenges with food insecurity, chronic disease rates, and escalating healthcare expenses, drawing inspiration from successful nutrition intervention programs in other states like Massachusetts.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee (on 07/24/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5934 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A6000/5934_I1.HTM |
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