[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 82 (Tuesday, May 16, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SUPPORTING MEDICALLY TAILORED MEALS

  (Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, one of the major reasons people get 
readmitted to the hospital is what is in their cabinet at home or, more 
notably, what isn't.
  A poor diet, combined with conditions like heart disease and 
diabetes, contributes to a staggering number of hospital readmissions 
every day.
  Finally, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is providing 
greater flexibility for those using and paying for medically tailored 
meals. For those too sick to cook, these prepared and delivered 
medically tailored meals often make all the difference.
  It has been a long road to get here. I have introduced legislation on 
this, launched the Food is Medicine Working Group, and uplifted 
organizations across America that prepare these meals.
  We still need to push for medically tailored meals to be a covered 
Medicare benefit, but this is great news and one of the many 
transformative changes stemming from last year's White House Conference 
on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. It will make opening the pantry less 
painful for our neighbors and help end hunger now.

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