U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) recently sponsored legislation that would require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to test a model to reduce chronic diseases by using produce as medicine.
The bipartisan Accountable Produce is Medicine Act of 2026, H.R. 8355, which Rep. Smucker introduced on April 16 with lead cosponsor U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS), aims to integrate nutrition into Medicare and Medicaid by funding “produce prescriptions” for patients with diet-related chronic illnesses.
“Diet-related chronic disease is one of our nation’s most pressing health challenges and a main driver of rising healthcare costs,” Rep. Smucker said. “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,” he added.
If enacted, H.R. 8355 would direct the 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 healthcare costs, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“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. Davids. “This bipartisan bill I’m leading with Rep. 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.”
Organizations supporting the measure include the International Fresh Produce Association, FreshRx Oklahoma, the National Produce Prescription Collaborative, the Kellyn Foundation, the Coalition for Metabolic Health, and the National Alliance to Impact Social Determinants of Health, among several others.