Sponsor
Josh Harder
Representative · D-CA
The bill directs a modest, time-limited federal investment to link healthcare and food supports—improving access and measurable health outcomes for low-income and underserved populations—while creating administrative requirements, eligibility limits, and short funding horizons that may constrain reach and long-term sustainability.
Low-income people with chronic conditions gain access to integrated care and nutrition services (including nutrition education and Food Is Medicine programs), which can reduce diet-related risk factors like HbA1c, blood pressure, and BMI for participants.
Rural, medically underserved, and Health Professional Shortage Areas are prioritized for funding to expand care coordination and community health worker services, improving access in areas with limited healthcare resources.
A federal grant program ($15M per year, FY2027–2031) funds local coalitions linking health providers and food organizations, strengthening community partnerships and local service delivery capacity.
Lead entities (nonprofits, health centers) face administrative burdens and compliance costs to meet evidence-based model and reporting requirements, which may deter smaller organizations from participating or increase overhead.
The requirement that grant funds supplement, not supplant existing non‑Federal funds limits recipients' flexibility and complicates budgeting for organizations that rely on mixed funding streams.
Short grant terms (initial up to 3 years, renewals up to 2 years) may be too brief to sustain program impacts after federal funding ends, risking service disruption for participants.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Establishes a competitive HHS grant program funding local partnerships that integrate health care and nutrition to prevent and manage chronic disease.
Representative · D-CA
Official title: To expand access to integrated, community-driven health and nutrition services for underserved populations with high chronic disease prevalence, through coordinated local partnerships, measurable outcomes, and sustainable delivery models, and for other purposes.
Introduced September 3, 2026 by Josh Harder · Last progress September 3, 2026
Establishes a federal grant program to fund local partnerships that link health care and nutrition services to prevent and manage chronic disease. The Department of Health and Human Services, with USDA consultation, will award competitive grants to eligible lead entities that submit a community needs assessment, a care-integration plan connecting health and nutrition, and measurable outcome goals. Grants prioritize high-need areas (high chronic disease prevalence, food insecurity, medically underserved or Health Professional Shortage Areas, rural areas, or persistent poverty). Funds may be used for integrated care delivery (care coordination, community health workers, transportation), nutrition education and Food Is Medicine programs, data infrastructure, and program evaluation, subject to reporting and term limits.