Reps. Smucker and Davids Introduce Bipartisan ‘Accountable Produce is Medicine Act’

WASHINGTON - Representatives Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) and Sharice Davids (KS-03) introduced the bipartisan Accountable Produce is Medicine Act (H.R. 8355), legislation aimed at modernizing the U.S. health care system by incorporating proven nutrition-based interventions to prevent and manage chronic disease.

This legislation would direct the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to test a new bundled payment model that integrates "produce prescriptions" interventions into care for patients with chronic diseases. Through this "food is medicine" approach, eligible individuals would gain access to nutrition-focused support, including healthy foods, care coordination, and monitoring services, with the goal of improving health outcomes and reducing overall health care costs.

More than 75 percent of adults in the United States live with at least one chronic disease, many of which are diet related. Research shows that preventive, nutrition-based interventions can play a critical role in addressing this growing epidemic.

"Diet related chronic disease is one of our nation's most pressing health challenges and a main driver of rising health care costs," saidRep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11). "Our system can and must do more to prevent disease-not just treat it. I'm grateful for Rep. Davids' partnership to advance preventive health measures that will improve the lives of Americans, including proven food is medicine interventions, and I look forward to working closely with Secretary Kennedy to make it possible."

"Kansas families know that good health doesn't start in a doctor's office - it starts at home, with what's on the table,"said Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03)."In too many rural and underserved communities, people are managing serious conditions like diabetes and heart disease without reliable access to healthy food. This bipartisan bill I'm leading with Representative Lloyd Smucker helps change that by bringing together doctors, care teams, and local food systems so patients can get the nutrition they need to stay healthier and out of the hospital."

During a Ways and Means Committee hearing on the Department of Health and Human Service's proposed budget with Secretary Robert Kennedy, Rep. Smucker announced the introduction of this bill:

Watch Rep. Smucker's full remarks here.

Organizations supporting the measure include FreshRx Oklahoma, National Produce Prescription Collaborative, Kellyn Foundation, School of Global Health, Hunger Free Kansas, Texas Health Resources, Coalition for Metabolic Health, National Alliance to Impact Social Determinants of Health, Healthcare Partnerships, Mosaic Life Care, the Sunflower Foundation, and the International Fresh Produce Association.

Read supporting organization statements here.