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.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8391
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-20: 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.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T08:07:17Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 8391
Purpose
This legislation aims to expand health coverage under the Medicare and Medicaid programs by requiring payment for certain food and nutrition services that meet standards set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Key Provisions
- Medicare Coverage: Amends Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act to add food and nutrition services as a covered item. Payment under Section 1833(a)(1) is set at 80 percent of the actual charge.
- Medicaid Coverage: Amends Section 1905(a) to include food and nutrition services as a new benefit category. It becomes a mandatory benefit under Section 1902(a)(10)(A), requiring states to provide it.
- Effective Date: Both changes apply to services starting 180 days after the bill's enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Medicare previously did not list food and nutrition services as a standard covered benefit; this bill explicitly adds them.
- Medicaid gains a new required category, shifting it from optional to mandatory for participating states.
- No other major alterations to the Social Security Act titles are made beyond these additions and related payment rules.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases administrative responsibilities for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to define service requirements and process claims.
- Citizens: Expands access to food and nutrition support for Medicare and Medicaid enrollees, potentially improving health outcomes related to diet.
- International Relations: No direct effects noted in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Beneficiaries: Individuals enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid who may qualify for the new services.
- Healthcare Providers: Entities delivering food and nutrition services, who gain a new reimbursement pathway.
- State Governments: Medicaid programs must comply with the mandatory benefit requirement.
- Federal Government: Oversees implementation through the Department of Health and Human Services.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill modifies federal entitlement programs under the Social Security Act, requiring coordination between Medicare (federal) and Medicaid (state-federal partnership).
- No explicit constitutional challenges or political provisions are addressed in the text; changes focus solely on coverage expansions without altering eligibility rules or funding mechanisms.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-20: 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.
- 2026-04-20: 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.
- 2026-04-20: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- 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. — issued 2026-04-20 — PDF (3 pages)