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 mandates that the state Medicaid managed care advisory committee approve a list of these services, which must exclude home-delivered meals, food prescriptions, and grocery support. Additionally, the bill requires the commission to submit an annual report to the legislature on the usage of these services and to consider their costs when setting capitation rates.

Furthermore, 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. Under this program, Medicaid managed care organizations can offer 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 and recommendations must be submitted to the legislature after its conclusion. The pilot program is set to terminate on August 31, 2030, with the section expiring on September 1, 2031.

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