The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 239, aims to enhance the health outcomes of community members with diabetes and congestive heart failure by mandating hospitals to address their nutritional needs. Specifically, the bill amends Section 19a-127k of the general statutes by adding a new subsection (j), which requires hospitals to examine the nutrition needs of these patients during their community health needs assessments. Furthermore, it instructs hospitals to incorporate these nutritional needs into their assessments and prioritize medically tailored and food-based interventions in their implementation strategies, effective October 1, 2026.

This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the importance of nutrition in managing chronic health conditions. By focusing on food-based interventions, the bill seeks to improve the overall health and well-being of individuals with diabetes and congestive heart failure, ultimately aiming to reduce healthcare costs and improve quality of life for these patients. The bill does not propose any deletions from existing law but introduces new requirements to enhance community health assessments conducted by hospitals.

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