Bill > HR5412

This bill establishes a grant program to support "healthy food pharmacies" (also called "food farmacies"), which are organizations that provide nutritious foods and nutritional guidance to improve health outcomes. The Secretary of Health and Human Services can award grants up to $500,000 per fiscal year to eligible entities such as non-profit healthcare providers, government entities, and tribal organizations. To qualify, these food pharmacies must offer free food and nutritional guidance to Medicaid and SNAP recipients, prioritize services for low-income, rural, or food-insecure communities, and align with the Department of Health and Human Services' "Food is Medicine" initiative. Grant recipients must submit annual reports detailing the number of patrons served, their health needs, food types acquired, and health outcomes. The bill defines key terms like "qualified health care professional" to include registered dietitians, physicians, and nurse practitioners. The program is authorized $10 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030, with the goal of expanding access to nutritious foods and providing nutritional guidance to improve overall health, particularly in underserved communities.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5412/all-info