SB 562 West Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Establishing Food Is Medicine Program under Medicaid

SB 562 would establish a Food Is Medicine Program within West Virginia's Medicaid system, directly affecting Medicaid members with nutrition-related chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease. The bill authorizes coverage for specific nutrition services - including counseling, medically tailored meals, and grocery support - to improve health outcomes and reduce costly medical care. It requires Medicaid managed care organizations to prioritize partnerships with local West Virginia food producers when feasible. The program aims to lower long-term healthcare costs by addressing diet-related health issues through preventive nutrition support.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 21, 2026 Last action Feb 11, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced Version → Committee Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was updated from an 'Introduced Version' to a 'Committee Substitute' after being reported by the Senate committee. The most significant change is the addition of a requirement that the Food Is Medicine Program be developed in accordance with the 'Rural Health Transformation Program,' linking this new initiative to existing rural health strategies. Additionally, the specific list of allowable services was slightly modified to replace 'Nutrition prescriptions' with 'Produce prescriptions,' and the committee added a note clarifying that the bill's purpose is to establish Medicaid eligibility for these services.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded by mandating alignment with the Rural Health Transformation Program, ensuring the new nutrition program integrates with broader rural health initiatives.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that the Food Is Medicine Program must be developed in accordance with the Rural Health Transformation Program.

DEFINITION

Changed the term 'Nutrition prescriptions' to 'Produce prescriptions' in the list of allowable services.

TECHNICAL

Added a clarifying note explaining that the bill establishes authorization for Food Is Medicine to be eligible under Medicaid.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

To Finance

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

Committee substitute reported, but first to Finance

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Committee

To Health and Human Resources

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in Senate

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Committee

To Health and Human Resources then Finance

upper

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors