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3/27/2026
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Sen. Gu participates in panel on “Food as Medicine,” introduces pilot program legislation
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 STATE HOUSE — Senate President Valarie J. Lawson, Senate Majority Whip David P. Tikoian and Sens. Victoria Gu and Lammis J. Vargas joined experts on public health and nutrition for Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island’s annual Advocacy in Action Breakfast.
Senator Gu also participated in a panel discussion on “Food as Medicine” hosted by Meals on Wheels Rhode Island, including a discussion of bill she has sponsored to create a Medicaid pilot program to allow medical professionals to prescribe medically tailored meals and “produce by prescription.”
“Tackling the root causes of health conditions, whether from poor diet or food insecurity, is an investment that makes sense,” said Senator Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown). “Medicaid accounts for about one-third of our state budget. We need to find effective, evidence-based preventative health measures to save on the costs of medical care down the road.”
Senator Gu is the sponsor of a bill (2026-S 2892) to establish a task force to study and develop recommendations for a “food as medicine” pilot program in Rhode Island. President Lawson is a cosponsor of the bill.
This coverage could take the form of produce prescriptions, vouchers or medically tailored meals, prescribed by medical professionals for persons with diet-related diseases or food insecurity. It could also include clinical nutrition education.
It would also authorize the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to seek a federal Medicaid 1115 demonstration waiver to provide federal funds to implement the pilot program for eligible Medicaid beneficiaries.
Rep. Justine Caldwell (D-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich) has introduced companion legislation (2026-H 8171) in the House.
There is a growing evidence base across the country showing that these “food as medicine” programs improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs.
“Nutrition is one of the most powerful, underutilized tools in health care. Operating under our 2030 strategic plan, MOWRI is committed to offering “food as medicine” with fidelity and delivering comprehensive patient-centered services that promote health equity and drive improved health outcomes,” said Meghan Grady, executive director of MOWRI. “We are incredibly proud to support advancing “food as medicine” as a trusted statewide health care partner.”
Meals on Wheels Rhode Island is the state’s primary provider of home-delivered meals, delivering 480,939 meals to at-risk individuals in 2025 and increasing delivery of medically tailored meals by 46% between 2024 and 2025. Recipients of these medically tailored meals included perinatal women, homebound older adults requiring specialized diets to manage chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease, as well as other Rhode Islanders living with chronic disease such as HIV/AIDS patients.
MOWRI’s mission is to meet the nutritional and social needs of Rhode Islanders so they can maintain safe and independent lifestyles. Their current offerings include home-delivered meals from general wellness, medically tailored and culturally responsive menus, grocery delivery and food boxes tailored to the recipient’s diet needs and cultural preference and community health worker services.
IN PHOTO: Sen. Victoria Gu speaks during the panel discussion hosted by Meals on Wheels.
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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