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To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to require coverage of certain food and nutrition services under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Introduced on 4/20/26

H. R. 8391

Introduced in House

April 20, 2026

Mr. Ruiz introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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

A BILL

To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to require coverage of certain food and nutrition services under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Requiring coverage of certain food and nutrition services under Medicare and Medicaid.

  1. (a) Coverage under Medicare.—
  1. (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2) ) is amended—

(A) in subparagraph (JJ), by striking “and” at the end;

(B) in subparagraph (KK), by adding “and” at the end; and

(C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

“(LL) food and nutrition services meeting such requirements as the Secretary shall specify;”.

  1. (2) PAYMENT.—Section 1833(a)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1) ) is amended—

(A) by striking “and” before “(HH)”; and

(B) by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: “, and (II) with respect to specified food and nutrition services under section 1861(s)(2)(LL), the amounts paid shall be equal to 80 percent of the actual charge for the services”.

Effective date.—(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to items and services furnished on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section.

  1. (b) Coverage under Medicaid.—
  1. (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1905(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(a) ) is amended—

(A) in paragraph (31), by striking “and” at the end;

(B) by redesignating paragraph (32) as paragraph (33); and

(C) by inserting after paragraph (31) the following new paragraph:

“(32) food and nutrition services meeting such requirements as the Secretary shall specify; and”.

  1. (2) MANDATORY BENEFIT.—Section 1902(a)(10)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A) ) is amended, in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking “and (30)” and inserting “(30), and (32)”.

Effective date.—(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to items and services furnished on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section.