The bill seeks to reestablish the statewide Healthy Lifestyles Program in West Virginia, introducing new initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes for residents. It creates a new section, 9-5-34, which incorporates "Food is Medicine" services into the Medicaid Program, allowing for nutrition-based interventions to address chronic diseases among Medicaid members. Additionally, the bill establishes the "Make West Virginia Healthy Act of 2026," which includes the formation of the Office of Healthy Lifestyles. This office will coordinate efforts to combat chronic diseases, enhance nutrition access, and promote physical fitness in schools, while also mandating physical education requirements and establishing a Healthy Lifestyles Fund.

The bill also repeals previous sections related to the Healthy West Virginia Program to streamline health initiatives. It outlines the responsibilities of the Office of Healthy Lifestyles, including collaboration with the Department of Education and Agriculture, and the development of a county grant program to support healthy lifestyle initiatives. Furthermore, the Feed to Achieve Act is introduced, which establishes a framework for enhancing student participation in nutrition programs through a dedicated fund for receiving and spending donations. This Act emphasizes the use of funds solely for providing food to students and encourages public-private partnerships to develop nutrition programs, ensuring all financial activities are subject to annual independent audits for transparency.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-2-7a, 18-5D-4, 9-5-34, 16-67-1, 16-67-2, 16-67-3, 16-67-4, 16-67-5, 16-67-6, 16-67-7, 16-67-8, 16-67-9, 16-67-10, 5-1E-1, 5-1E-2, 5-1E-3, 5-1E-4, 5-1E-5
Committee Substitute: 18-2-7a, 18-5D-4, 9-5-34, 16-67-1, 16-67-2, 16-67-3, 16-67-4, 16-67-5, 16-67-6, 16-67-7, 16-67-8, 16-67-9, 16-67-10, 5-1E-1, 5-1E-2, 5-1E-3, 5-1E-4, 5-1E-5
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 18-2-7a, 18-5D-4, 9-5-34, 16-67-1, 16-67-2, 16-67-3, 16-67-4, 16-67-5, 16-67-6, 16-67-7, 16-67-8, 16-67-9, 16-67-10, 5-1E-1, 5-1E-2, 5-1E-3, 5-1E-4, 5-1E-5
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 18-2-7a, 18-5D-4, 9-5-34, 16-67-1, 16-67-2, 16-67-3, 16-67-4, 16-67-5, 16-67-6, 16-67-7, 16-67-8, 16-67-9, 16-67-10, 5-1E-1, 5-1E-2, 5-1E-3, 5-1E-4, 5-1E-5