AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- FOOD-AS-MEDICINE PILOT PROGRAM (Establishes a food as medicine pilot program and task force to be administered by the executive office of health and human services.)

H8171

2026 -- H 8171
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- FOOD-AS-MEDICINE PILOT PROGRAM

Introduced By:
Representatives Caldwell, Slater, Kislak, and Spears

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Finance
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. The general assembly finds and declares that:
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(1) Diet-related chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension,
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and obesity, represent a significant and growing burden on Rhode Island’s residents and healthcare
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system;
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(2) Individuals experiencing food insecurity and chronic illness often face barriers to
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accessing nutritious food that supports disease prevention and management;
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(3) Evidence-based food-as-medicine interventions, including medically tailored meals
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and nutrition supports, have demonstrated in a number of states nationwide the potential to improve
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health outcomes, reduce health disparities, and lower healthcare utilization and costs for high-risk
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populations;
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(4) Healthcare delivery systems are increasingly transitioning to value-based purchasing
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and whole-person care models that emphasize prevention and the integration of health-related
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social needs; and
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(5) A carefully scoped pilot program, developed in collaboration with health insurers and
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community-based service providers, is necessary to determine the feasibility, effectiveness, and
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sustainability of food-as-medicine interventions in Rhode Island.
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SECTION 2. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 106

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FOOD-AS-MEDICINE PILOT PROGRAM
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23-106-1. Food-as-medicine task force -- Establishment.
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(a) The food-as-medicine task force is hereby established within the executive office of
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health and human services (EOHHS) for the purpose of developing recommendations for the
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creation and implementation of a food-as-medicine pilot program in Rhode Island.
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(b) The task force shall consist of the following members, or designees:
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(1) The secretary of the EOHHS;
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(2) The assistant secretary of the EOHHS;
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(3) The Medicaid program director;
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(4) The director of the department of health;
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(5) The director of the office of healthy aging;
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(6) The director of the department of human services;
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(7) The health insurance commissioner;
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(8) A representative from a managed Medicaid insurer providing medically tailored meals;
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(9) A representative from a commercial healthcare insurer providing medically tailored
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meals;
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(10) A representative from a hospital system engaged in value-based care initiatives;
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(11) A representative of an academic institution with research or evaluation expertise;
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(12) A representative of a not-for-profit medically tailored meal provider;
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(13) A general physician or advanced practice nurse with experience serving persons with
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chronic illness;
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(14) A licensed registered dietitian nutritionist;
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(15) One member of the Rhode Island house of representatives from the majority party,
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appointed by the speaker of the house;
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(16) One member of the Rhode Island house of representatives from the minority party,
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appointed by the minority leader of the house;
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(17) One member of the Rhode Island senate from the majority party, appointed by the
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senate president;
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(18) One member of the Rhode Island senate from the minority party, appointed by the
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senate minority leader; and
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(19) One public member representing the interests of individuals managing chronic illness.
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(c) Members shall serve without compensation.
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23-106-2. Duties of the task force.
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(a) The task force shall examine and make recommendations regarding the design, scope,

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and implementation of a food-as-medicine pilot program in Rhode Island including, but not limited
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to the following:
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(1) Identifying specific populations that experience a disproportionate burden of diet-
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related chronic disease and are most likely to benefit from food-as-medicine interventions
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including, but not limited to, individuals enrolled in Medicaid, older adults, and individuals with
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complex medical needs;
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(2) Defining appropriate eligibility criteria for participation in a food-as-medicine pilot
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program to ensure the efficient and effective targeting of limited resources;
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(3) Identifying evidence-based food-as-medicine interventions to be included in the pilot
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program including, but not limited to, medically tailored meals and other nutrition-based supports;
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(4) Assessing opportunities for collaboration with community-based service providers,
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health care providers, managed care organizations, and commercial insurers in the delivery of food-
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as-medicine interventions;
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(5) Evaluating options for reimbursement, payment models, and financing mechanisms,
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including Medicaid authorities, value-based purchasing arrangements, and public-private
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partnerships;
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(6) Examining data collection, evaluation, and reporting requirements necessary to assess
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health outcomes, utilization, cost impacts, and health equity implications of the pilot program;
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(7) Identifying administrative, operational, or regulatory barriers to implementation of a
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food-as-medicine pilot program in Rhode Island;
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(8) Developing recommendations for legislative, regulatory, or budgetary actions
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necessary to establish and sustain a food-as-medicine pilot program;
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(9) Examining the feasibility of utilizing federal Medicaid authorities including, but not
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limited to, a waiver or amendment under section 1115 of the Social Security Act, to support the
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design, implementation, and evaluation of a food-as-medicine pilot program;
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(10) Identifying the populations, services, delivery models, and outcome measures that
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could be included in an application for a section 1115 waiver or waiver amendment to support food-
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as-medicine interventions for individuals with the highest burden of diet-related chronic disease;
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and
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(11) Assessing the alignment of a food-as-medicine pilot program with existing Medicaid
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managed care, value-based purchasing, and health equity initiatives administered by the executive
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office of health and human services.
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23-106-3. Meetings and staffing.
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(a) The secretary of the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS), or

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designee, shall convene the first meeting of the task force no later than ninety (90) days after the
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effective date of this chapter.
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(b) The EOHHS, or such department, office, or program with relevant subject‑matter
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expertise as designated by the secretary, shall provide staff support to the task force.
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23-106-4. Reporting.
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(a) The task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the
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governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the senate.
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(b) The report shall include recommendations regarding the scope, design, and
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implementation of a food-as-medicine pilot program including, but not limited to, any proposed
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legislation necessary to authorize or fund the pilot program.
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(c) The report shall be submitted no later than December 31, 2026.
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23-106-5. Medicaid waiver authority -- Food-as-medicine pilot.
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(a) The executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) is authorized to seek
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federal approval to implement a food-as-medicine pilot program for eligible Medicaid
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beneficiaries.
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(b) For the purposes of this section, the EOHHS may submit an application for, or
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amendment to, a demonstration project pursuant to section 1115 of the Social Security Act, or
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pursue other available federal Medicaid authorities, as necessary to implement and fund the food-
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as-medicine pilot program.
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(c) The application for a section 1115 waiver or waiver amendment may include, but is not
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limited to:
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(1) Coverage of evidence-based food-as-medicine interventions including, but not limited
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to, medically tailored meals and other nutrition-based supports, for Medicaid beneficiaries with
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chronic, diet-related diseases;
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(2) Eligibility criteria designed to prioritize individuals with the highest health risks, health
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care utilization, and unmet nutrition-related needs;
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(3) Delivery models that leverage partnerships with community-based service providers,
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health care providers, and managed care organizations;
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(4) Payment and reimbursement methodologies consistent with value-based purchasing
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principles; and
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(5) Data collection, evaluation, and reporting requirements to assess health outcomes,
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health equity, utilization, and cost impacts.
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(d) The EOHHS may implement the food-as-medicine pilot program upon receipt of any
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necessary federal approvals and subject to the availability of federal financial participation.

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23-106-6. Construction.
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Nothing in this act shall be construed to require state expenditures beyond those authorized
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through federal approval, existing appropriations, or future legislative action.
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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- FOOD-AS-MEDICINE PILOT PROGRAM
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This act would establish a food-as-medicine pilot program and task force to be
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administered by the executive office of health and human services.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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