H.B. No. 26 amends the Government Code to authorize Medicaid managed care organizations to provide nutrition support services as an alternative to certain state Medicaid plan services. Specifically, it allows these organizations to offer medically appropriate, cost-effective, evidence-based mental health or substance use services, as well as nutrition counseling and instruction services, in lieu of services specified in the state Medicaid plan. The bill also establishes a requirement for the commission to prepare an annual report on the usage of these services and includes provisions for the approval of a list of nutrition counseling and instruction services, explicitly excluding home-delivered meals, food prescriptions, and grocery support.

Additionally, the bill introduces a pilot program aimed at providing additional nutrition support services to pregnant recipients diagnosed with chronic health conditions that may lead to high-risk pregnancies. This program allows for the provision of nutrition counseling, medically tailored meals, and other evidence-based nutrition support services. The commission is tasked with collecting and analyzing data on the impact of these services on maternal and infant health outcomes, and a report summarizing the pilot program's outcomes must be submitted to the legislature upon its conclusion. The pilot program is set to terminate on August 31, 2030, with the section expiring on September 1, 2031. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 540.0272 (Government Code 540)
Enrolled: Government Code 540.0272 (Government Code 540)