Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the Missouri Department of Social Services to request nutritional support from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for individuals in the MO HealthNet program who have nutrition-related chronic diseases.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Social Services to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the federal Department of Health and Human Services for a waiver to implement the “Food is Medicine” program to provide nutritional support through the MO HealthNet program (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes the following nutrition services to be covered under this act (Sec. 4):

• Case management;

• Nutrition counseling; and

• Food provisions prescribed by a registered dietitian or qualified team.

• Requires the MO HealthNet division to prioritize the inclusion of community based organizations and local growers to support the purchase of locally grown food (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text