HB1434 • 2026

Medicaid; benefit for nutrition services programs, sunset.

<p class=ldtitle>A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 32.1-325.002, relating to Department of Medical Assistance Services; Medicaid benefit for nutrition services programs; sunset.</p>

Healthcare

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Cole, J.G.
Last action: 2026-02-18
Official status: Failed
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not specify how many people will be able to use these services or what impact it will have, leaving this information uncertain.

Medicaid Benefit for Nutrition Programs

This bill allows Virginia's Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to provide Medicaid coverage for nutrition services programs if federal approval and matching funds are obtained.

What This Bill Does

Allows DMAS to implement a provision for payment of medical assistance for nutrition services programs, including case management, counseling, home-delivered meals, pantry stocking, prescriptions, and grocery provisions, conditional on receiving necessary approvals and securing federal financial participation.
Requires DMAS to prioritize the purchase and distribution of locally grown food wherever feasible.

Who It Names or Affects

People who receive Medicaid benefits in Virginia
The Department of Medical Assistance Services

Terms To Know

Medicaid: A government program that helps low-income people pay for medical care.
Nutrition services programs: Programs that provide food and nutrition-related help to improve health.

Limits and Unknowns

The new benefit will expire on July 1, 2027, if DMAS does not receive the necessary federal approval and funding.
It is unclear how many people will be able to use these services or what impact it will have.

Bill History

2026-02-18 House
Left in Committee Appropriations
2026-02-13 Health & Human Resources
Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 0-N)
2026-02-11 House
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1434)
2026-02-10 Health & Human Resources
Assigned HAPP sub: Health & Human Resources
2026-02-10 Health and Human Services
Reported from Health and Human Services and referred to Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)
2026-02-05 Social Services
Subcommittee recommends reporting and referring to Appropriations (6-Y 2-N)
2026-01-30 Social Services
Assigned sub: Social Services
2026-01-22 House
Presented and ordered printed 26104331D
2026-01-22 Health and Human Services
Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

Official Summary Text

Department of Medical Assistance Services; Medicaid benefit for nutrition services programs; sunset.
Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services (the Department) to, conditional on the receipt of all necessary approvals and the securing of federal financial participation, implement a provision for payment of medical assistance for nutrition services programs which may include case management, nutrition counseling and instruction, home-delivered meals and pantry stocking, nutrition prescriptions, and grocery provisions. The bill directs the Department to prioritize the purchase and distribution of locally grown food wherever feasible.

The implementation of nutrition services programs pursuant to the bill is conditional on the Department obtaining all necessary approvals and federal financial participation. The bill sunsets on July 1, 2027, if such approval and federal financial participation is not obtained.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered
32.1-325.002
, relating to Department of Medical Assistance Services; Medicaid benefit for nutrition services programs; sunset.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered
32.1-325.002
as follows:

§
32.1-325.002
. Medicaid benefit for
nutrition

services
programs
.

A. The Department shall, conditional on the receipt of all necessary approvals and the securing of federal financial participation pursuant to subsection
D
,
implement
a provision for payment of medical assistance for
nutrition services programs
under the Medicaid program in the Commonwealth.

The Department shall design such programs to improve health outcomes and reduce the need for medical care for individuals with nutrition-related chronic diseases through nutrition services.

B.
Nutrition services programs established pursuant to subsection A may include:

1.
Case management
services for access to food and nutrition;

2. Nutrition counseling and instruction
;

3. Home-delivered meals or pantry stocking tailored to individual needs;

4. Nutrition
prescriptions tailored to individual needs; and

5. Grocery provisions
.

C. The Department shall prioritize the inclusion of community-based organizations and local growers
to support the purchase and distribution of locally grown food in nutrition prescriptions wherever feasible.

D.
The Department shall submit any state plan amendments or waiver applications as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this section and to secure federal financial participation for state Medicaid expenditures under the federal Medicaid program. The nutrition services programs established pursuant to this section shall be contingent on securing all necessary federal approvals and federal financial participation as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

2. That if the Department of Medical Assistance Services does not receive the necessary approval or federal financial participation from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement this act, then the provisions of this act shall expire on July 1, 2027.