End Hunger Now

Floor Speech

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Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to tout the transformational Flexible Services Program in Massachusetts' Medicaid program and to highlight an important upcoming transition that will further strengthen its approach to supporting those experiencing illness, hunger, and homelessness.

Since early 2020, Massachusetts has been providing housing support and nutrition services like medically tailored meals, food prescriptions, kitchen supplies, and nutrition education and counseling to eligible members through MassHealth.

It is also the first of its kind to serve vulnerable household members like children and high-risk pregnant mothers.

Early next year, the program will transition to a new health-related, social needs services framework to better provide supplemental nutrition services to eligible members. Transportation and food delivery costs will be included as a supplemental benefit, currently among the biggest barriers to adequate and affordable nutrition.

I am incredibly proud of Massachusetts' forward-thinking approach to providing nutrition and housing supports to those struggling to make ends meet. I encourage other States to look at this innovative model. Together, we can end hunger now.

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