Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) today introduced the Nutrition Education and Chronic Disease Prevention in Community Health Centers Act of 2026 , legislation to authorize the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to support Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in integrating evidence-based nutrition education and counseling into primary care delivery.

"Chronic disease is one of the biggest drivers of suffering and health care costs in communities like mine across East Tennessee, and so much of it is preventable," said Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger. "As a pharmacist, I've always believed that the best prescription is the one you never have to write. Community health centers are already one of the most trusted points of care for millions of rural Americans, but today only about a quarter of them offer meaningful nutrition services. That gap is costing us in health outcomes and lives. This legislation puts the tools directly in the hands of providers to get ahead of disease before it takes hold, and that's exactly what the Make America Healthy Again agenda is all about."

The bill amends Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through HRSA, to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to health centers for a range of nutrition and chronic disease prevention activities.

Eligible uses of funding include patient-centered nutrition counseling, integration of dietary guidance into chronic disease management, workforce training in nutrition science, and the development of nutrition education materials. Health centers may also partner with academic medical centers or medical schools to carry out program activities.

Under the legislation, HRSA would prioritize health centers serving populations with high rates of diet-related chronic disease, food insecurity, or other nutrition-related health disparities. Funding authorized under the bill would supplement existing federal, state, local, or private investments.

Beginning three years after enactment, the Secretary would be required to submit annual reports to Congress through fiscal year 2031 assessing patient outcomes, workforce training improvements, and estimated cost savings to federal health care programs attributable to the program.

CLICK HERE for the full text of the bill.

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