The proposed bill establishes a Food-as-Medicine Pilot Program in Rhode Island, aimed at addressing diet-related chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. The bill recognizes the barriers faced by individuals experiencing food insecurity and chronic illness in accessing nutritious food and highlights the potential benefits of evidence-based food-as-medicine interventions. To facilitate the program, a Food-as-Medicine Task Force will be created within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), consisting of various stakeholders, including health officials, community representatives, and legislators. The task force will be responsible for developing recommendations for the design, implementation, and evaluation of the pilot program.

The task force will examine and make recommendations regarding the design, scope, and implementation of the pilot program, including identifying specific populations that would benefit from food-as-medicine interventions, defining eligibility criteria, and assessing opportunities for collaboration with community-based service providers and healthcare organizations. The bill authorizes the EOHHS to seek federal approval for the pilot program, which may include coverage for medically tailored meals and other nutrition-based supports for eligible Medicaid beneficiaries.

The task force will also evaluate options for reimbursement, payment models, and financing mechanisms, and will assess data collection and reporting requirements necessary to evaluate health outcomes and cost impacts. The findings and recommendations from the task force are to be reported to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the senate by December 31, 2026. The act will take effect upon passage and is designed to operate within the constraints of existing appropriations and federal approvals.