Bill · H.R. 8391· House(119-HR-8391)
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.
- Introduced
- 4/20/2026
- Last activity
- 4/20/2026 — 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.
- Sponsored by
- Raul Ruiz
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill proposes amendments to titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act. The goal is to require the Medicare and Medicaid programs to cover certain food and nutrition services. These services must meet requirements specified by the Secretary. For Medicare, the bill sets the payment amount at 80 percent of the actual charge for these services. The changes for both programs are set to take effect 180 days after the bill is enacted.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+6
The bill provides direct support to low-income households by making nutritional services a mandatory Medicaid benefit.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+6
The bill improves healthcare access by providing coverage for essential food and nutrition services through Medicare and Medicaid.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+5
The bill benefits seniors by expanding Medicare coverage to include food and nutrition services.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill increases government spending by establishing new mandatory coverage for food and nutrition services under Medicare and Medicaid.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Medicare Coverage Expansion: The bill adds "food and nutrition services meeting such requirements as the Secretary shall specify" to the list of covered services under Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act. This would provide Medicare coverage for specific food and nutrition needs.
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Medicare Payment Structure: Under Section 1833(a)(1), the bill specifies that the amount paid for these services shall be equal to 80 percent of the actual charge.
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Medicaid Coverage Expansion: The bill amends Section 1905(a) to include "food and nutrition services meeting such requirements as the Secretary shall specify" as a covered service.
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Medicaid Mandatory Benefit: By amending Section 1902(a)(10)(A), the bill makes these food and nutrition services a mandatory benefit under the Medicaid program.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+6Good For Retirees+5Good For Seniors+5
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+6Increases Medicaid Funding+5Increases Medicare Funding+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+4
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-2
- 6/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/20/2026
- 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.
- Introduced in House
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana