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Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act of 2025
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and carry out a pilot program to administer to eligible veterans medically-tailored meals and groceries, and for other purposes.
Summary
The Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act of 2025 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program called the "Food is Medicine program" to provide medically-tailored meals and groceries to eligible veterans. The program would serve veterans enrolled in VA health care who either receive care for multiple chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, or heart failure, or receive maternal health care with certain risk factors. The program would also provide nutrition education and cooking classes through registered dietitians and nutritionists, and would partner with community-based organizations to source fresh, locally-grown produce. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must ensure geographic diversity in the pilot program locations and submit annual reports to Congress on participation, health outcomes, and cost-effectiveness. The pilot program is authorized for appropriations through fiscal year 2028 and would terminate three years after enactment.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
2 cosponsors
- Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3] (D-NV)
- Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4] (D-WI)
Money behind the sponsor
Top reported contributors to Vern Buchanan’s campaign committee (2024 cycle) — who funds the bill’s sponsor, not a claim about this bill. Data from FEC.
- SELECT MEDICAL CORPORATION $43,200
- FLORIDA CRYSTALS $16,100
- DERICK DERMATOLOGY $13,200
- BLACKSTONE $8,100
- CASL $7,609
Organizations whose employees gave the most — itemized individual contributions grouped by the donor’s reported employer (FEC Schedule A). Full finance for Vern Buchanan → · Outside spending →
Actions (3)
- Mar 14, 2025 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. · house
- Feb 13, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. · house
- Feb 13, 2025 Introduced in House
More bills on these subjects (8)
Other bills that carry the most legislative subjects in common with this one (topical discovery — distinct from the procedural related bills above).
Similar bills (6)
Bills with similar text or summary — includes reintroductions across Congresses. Ranked by semantic similarity of the bill text (computed locally); a neutral discovery aid, not a claim the bills are duplicates.
Text versions (1)
Bills are re-published as they move (Introduced → Reported → Engrossed → Enrolled …). Each stage below is a separate text; pick two to see what changed. Data from Congress.gov.
Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 13, 2025
Mr. Buchanan (for himself and Ms. Moore of Wisconsin) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and carry out a pilot program to administer to eligible veterans medically-tailored meals and groceries, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act of 2025”.
SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PROGRAM TO ADMINISTER MEDICALLY-TAILORED MEALS AND GROCERIES TO CERTAIN ELIGIBLE VETERANS.
(a) In General.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish and carry out a pilot program (to be known as the “Food is Medicine program”).
(b) Functions.—Under the Food is Medicine program, the Secretary shall,
(1) with respect to eligible veterans described in subsection (c)—
(A) administer medically-tailored meals and medically-tailored groceries; and
(B) furnish nutrition education and cooking classes through a registered dieticians, nutritionists, and community health workers;
(2) develop and seek to implement training programs for health care providers employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs with respect to the integration of the Food is Medicine program in the treatment plans of veterans receiving health care under the laws administered by the Secretary; and
(3) seek to collaborate with community-based organizations, including food banks and local agriculture programs, to—
(A) procure fresh and locally-sourced produce; and
(B) expand the availability of medically-tailored meals and medically-tailored groceries.
(c) Eligibility.—An eligible veteran described in this subsection is a veteran (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code) who is enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment established and operated under section 1705 of such section and—
(1) receives health care furnished by the Department with respect to multiple chronic conditions, including diabetes, cancer, or heart failure; or
(2) receives such health care with respect to maternal health, including prenatal care, labor and delivery care, postpartum care, and is at risk of preeclampsia or gestational diabetes.
(d) Regional Balance.—In carrying out the Food is Medicine program, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable ensure geographic diversity of the pilot program offices of the Food is Medicine program.
(e) Report.—During the period the authority to carry out the Food is Medicine program is effective, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report on such program that includes—
(1) the number of eligible veterans participating in such program;
(2) with respect to such eligible veterans, a summary of—
(A) health outcomes;
(B) effects on physical and mental health;
(C) quality of life; and
(D) the extent of utilization of health care under the laws administered by the Secretary;
(3) an evaluation of the effectiveness of such program, including estimated cost savings to the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
(4) recommendations of the Secretary with respect to potential improvements to such program.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.—
(1) In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for fiscal years 2025 through 2028 such sums as may be necessary to carry out the Food is Medicine program.
(2) Use of funds.—Any amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be used for—
(A) developing and operating the Food is Medicine program;
(B) hiring registered dieticians and nutrition specialists;
(C) conducting research and evaluations; and
(D) establishing partnerships with local organizations pursuant to subsection (b)(3).
(g) Termination Date.—The authority of the Secretary to carry out the Food is Medicine program shall terminate on the date that is three years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(h) Definitions.—In this Act:
(1) The term “medically-tailored groceries” means nutritious food for an individual with a diet-sensitive condition curated to the treatment plan of such individual.
(2) The term “medically-tailored meals” means nutritious meals customized for an individual with a severe chronic condition or limitation in activities of daily living. <all>
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