[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 17 (Tuesday, January 30, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             END HUNGER NOW

  (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, imagine not having access to the food that 
you need to keep yourself or your child healthy. For the 2,000 infants 
every year who are diagnosed with an inherited metabolic disorder, that 
nightmare is a reality.
  It is why I introduced the bipartisan Medical Nutrition Equity Act 
with my friend, Representative   John Rutherford, to require all public 
and private insurance to cover medically necessary nutrition for these 
individuals.
  Tomorrow, advocates who have been trying to get this bill passed for 
almost two decades will be here on the Hill. Here are just a few of 
their stories:
  Caroline was born with PKU and requires a strict regimen of low 
protein foods and medical formula.
  Zola was born with PKU, and her family has fought to get insurance 
coverage for formula that costs $75 per can.
  Caleb has a condition called EoE. He and his family fought for access 
to the formula he needed to grow up healthy, and now he is a college 
athlete.
  Mr. Speaker, no one should have to struggle accessing lifesaving 
foods. Let's pass the MNEA as we work to end hunger now. Let's also 
remember that food is medicine.

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