I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1289 
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. 
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 vet-
erans medically-tailored meals and groceries, and for 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives 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’’. 
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SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PRO-
GRAM 
TO 
ADMINISTER 
MEDICALLY-TAI-
LORED 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 Vet-
erans 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 pro-
gram, 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 cook-
ing classes through a registered dieticians, nu-
tritionists, and community health workers; 
(2) develop and seek to implement training pro-
grams for health care providers employed by the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs with respect to the in-
tegration 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 agri-
culture programs, to— 
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(A) procure fresh and locally-sourced 
produce; and 
(B) expand the availability of medically-tai-
lored 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 De-
partment 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— 
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(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 De-
partment of Veterans Affairs; and 
(4) recommendations of the Secretary with re-
spect 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 Sec-
retary for fiscal years 2025 through 2028 such sums 
as may be necessary to carry out the Food is Medi-
cine program. 
(2) USE
OF
FUNDS.—Any amounts appro-
priated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be used 
for— 
(A) developing and operating the Food is 
Medicine program; 
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(B) hiring registered dieticians and nutri-
tion specialists; 
(C) conducting research and evaluations; 
and 
(D) establishing partnerships with local or-
ganizations pursuant to subsection (b)(3). 
(g) TERMINATION DATE.—The authority of the Sec-
retary 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. 
Æ 
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