Bill · S. 2834· Senate(119-S-2834)
Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Program Pilot Act
- Introduced
- 9/17/2025
- Last activity
- 9/17/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Cory Booker
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill sets up a six-year pilot program under Medicare Part A called the Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Program. It tests a payment and service delivery model by having selected hospitals provide healthy, customized meals and nutrition therapy to certain patients after they leave the hospital. The goal is to improve people's health and lower the number of hospital readmissions. At least 40 eligible hospitals will be chosen to participate in this program by June 30, 2027. The program will be funded through the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund while making corresponding payment reductions to other hospital payments to keep it budget neutral. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to monitor the program and report intermediate and final evaluations to Congress.
Yes· 3 of 28
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+7
The pilot program primarily benefits Medicare beneficiaries managing serious post-discharge health conditions.
Would retired people be better off under this?+7
Retirees on Medicare dealing with chronic diseases gain significant post-discharge health support.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+7
Qualified Medicare patients receive crucial post-discharge nutritional support and medical nutrition therapy without cost-sharing.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-1
Selected hospitals face payment reductions elsewhere to maintain overall budget neutrality for the program.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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No Out-of-Pocket Costs: Under Section 2, specifically subsection (d)(2), items and services provided through the program must be given to individuals without any deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing. This ensures that vulnerable patients do not face financial burdens to receive necessary meals and therapy.
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Customized Nutritional Support: Under Section 2, specifically subsection (c)(3), qualified individuals will receive at least two medically tailored home-delivered meals per day that meet two-thirds of their daily nutritional needs. These meals are specifically designed to respect individual medical needs, allergies, and cultural or religious dietary restrictions.
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Targeted Care for Specific Illnesses: Under Section 2, specifically subsection (g)(3), individuals suffering from diet-impacted diseases—such as kidney disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease—who live at home and struggle with daily activities can qualify for the program, helping those who need it most maintain their health after leaving the hospital.
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Professional Guidance: Under Section 2, specifically subsection (c)(3)(B), qualified individuals will receive medical nutrition therapy in connection with their meal deliveries for a period ranging from 12 weeks to one year, giving them expert support to manage their health conditions properly.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Reduction in Overall Hospital Funding: Under Section 2, specifically subsection (f)(2), the Secretary is required to reduce payments made to certain hospitals to ensure the program remains budget neutral. This reduction in general hospital funding could potentially impact overall hospital operations or care resources available to the public.
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 Retirees+7Good For Seniors+7Good For Low Income Households+6Good For People With Disabilities+6Good For Middle Aged+2Good For Middle Class Households+2Good For Rural Residents+2Good For Veterans+2Good For African Americans+1Good For Asian Americans+1Good For Hispanic Americans+1Good For Immigrants+1Good For Men+1Good For Native Americans+1Good For Urban Residents+1Good For White Americans+1Good For Women+1Good For Business Owners-1
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+7Increases Medicare Funding+6Reduces Hospital Costs+4Increases Research Funding+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+2Increases Job Creation+2Improves Economic Growth+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3Increases Federal Power+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+3Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- 9/17/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
Roger MarshallRepublican · Kansas
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota