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6/11/2026
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Assembly OKs ‘Food as Medicine’ pilot program legislation
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STATE HOUSE — The General Assembly today passed legislation from Sen. Victoria Gu and Rep. Justine Caldwell to create a Medicaid pilot program that leverages medically tailored meals and other nutritional supports to improve the health of those with chronic, diet-related conditions. The legislation now goes to the governor for his consideration.
“Food insecurity is strongly linked to many of the most costly preventable chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity, which drive enormous health care spending,” said Senator Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown). “Medicaid accounts for about one-third of our state budget and is growing at an estimated 6% per year. Our budget will have a growing deficit unless we look at evidence-based programs like food as medicine”
The bill (2026-S 2892A, 2026-H 8171A) would establish a task force to design and develop funding strategies for a food as medicine pilot program in Rhode Island.
“The lifelong impact of healthy, nutritious food cannot be overstated, particularly when it is tailored to a person’s specific health concerns,” said Representative Caldwell (D-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich). “The task force created by this legislation will set Rhode Island up to make the most of the innovations in nutrition to help manage chronic health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease, giving patients better health outcomes and taking some strain off of our overburdened healthcare system.”
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.
The act 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. Another possible federal funding source the task force will explore is the federal rural health transformation program. In December 2025, CMS awarded Rhode Island over $156 million for this program, and the program is expected to last 5 years.
There is a growing evidence base across the country showing that these food as medicine programs improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
The bill was supported in committee by Meals on Wheels Rhode Island, whose CEO Meghan Grady wrote, “The proposed task force brings together state agencies, healthcare providers, insurers, academic experts and others key organizations and individuals working in the space to examine best practices, identify priority populations and develop recommendations for a carefully scoped pilot program. This collaborative structure will ensure that any future food as medicine initiative in Rhode Island is data driven, fiscally responsible and aligned with Medicaid’s commitment to curbing health care costs, improving population health and advancing health equity. Food as medicine interventions represent a promising strategy to improve health outcomes, advance equity and strengthen Rhode Island’s healthcare system.”
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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