Improving Health Through Integrated Food and Nutrition Services at Federally Qualified Health Centers Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]
- Committees
- Education and Workforce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Aug 27, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to combat food insecurity and improve public health outcomes by funding FQHCs to provide integrated food and nutrition services and better connect patients to federal nutrition programs.
What it actually does
This bill establishes a competitive grant program within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enable Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to integrate food and nutrition services into their clinical care. These services include food insecurity screening, operating on-site food pantries, employing nutrition professionals, and offering culturally tailored nutrition education. The bill also mandates interagency coordination to streamline access to existing federal nutrition programs and explore new reimbursement models for nutrition services.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that addressing food insecurity directly within FQHCs is a highly effective and efficient strategy to improve patient health, reduce chronic disease prevalence, and ultimately lower long-term healthcare costs. They emphasize that FQHCs are uniquely positioned to reach and serve vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by food insecurity and related health issues.
Opponents contend
Critics might contend that while the bill's objectives are commendable, establishing a new grant program could introduce additional administrative burdens and complexity, potentially duplicating efforts of existing federal and community-based food assistance programs. They might suggest that direct expansion of current nutrition programs or funding existing food banks could be a more streamlined approach.
The bill is concise and clearly written, making it highly accessible for a reader to understand its core provisions within a few minutes.
Section 3(a)
Establishment of Supplemental Food and Nutrition Services Grant Program
This provision directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to create a competitive grant program. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) can apply for these grants to implement food insecurity screening tools, operate on-site food pantries, partner with food banks and farms, employ registered dieticians and nutrition professionals, and offer culturally tailored nutrition education to their patients.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that directly funding FQHCs to integrate food and nutrition services addresses a critical social determinant of health at the point of care, leading to more holistic patient care, better management of chronic diseases, and long-term healthcare cost savings.
Critics contend
Some critics might argue that creating a new grant program adds another layer of bureaucracy and could potentially overlap with or divert resources from existing community-based food assistance efforts, rather than strengthening them directly.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the recognized need for direct intervention against food insecurity within healthcare settings with concerns about creating new federal programs and potential administrative overhead.
Section 3(d)
Interagency Coordination with Federal Nutrition Programs
This provision mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services coordinate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The coordination aims to streamline patient referrals and enrollment into federal nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC, encourage Medicaid waivers or demonstration projects that support nutrition services as reimbursable care, and explore opportunities to fund food and nutrition interventions through value-based payment models.
Section 3(g)
Authorization of Appropriations for Grant Program
This section authorizes the appropriation of $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031. This funding is intended to support the establishment and ongoing operation of the supplemental food and nutrition services grant program for Federally Qualified Health Centers, providing the financial resources necessary to implement the bill's objectives.