To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to exclude from the anti-kickback statute and other sanctions certain remunerations for providing food or nutrition services to individuals.
Key claim: This bill would let providers give patients food or nutrition services without those benefits counting as illegal kickbacks under federal health-care fraud laws.
Abstract
(HR10945 · 119th Congress) Latest action (2026-10-29): Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Why this matters
The Anti-Kickback Statute currently constrains how providers and insurers can offer food, groceries, or medically tailored meals to federally insured patients, since such benefits can be treated as illegal inducements. A statutory carve-out would clear a legal barrier that has limited ‘food is medicine’ programs in Medicare and Medicaid, letting hospitals, health plans, and community groups more freely integrate nutrition services into care. As an introduced bill with no committee action, it signals congressional interest but has no immediate operational effect.