Open Arms and other members of the Food Is Medicine Coalition are excited to support the Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meal Demonstration Pilot Act of 2020 (H.R. 6774) introduced by the members of the Bipartisan Food Is Medicine Working Group: Reps. Jim McGovern – MA (D), Chellie Pingree – ME (D), Roger Marshall – KS (R), and Jackie Walorski – IN (R).
This MTM bill would establish a Medicare pilot program to address the critical link between diet, chronic illness, and the health of older adults. This proposal will ensure that medically vulnerable seniors get access to lifesaving medically tailored meals in their home, while providing the outcomes data we need to build a more resilient and cost-effective health care system. Both goals are even more critical during the pandemic, as we endeavor to keep the elderly — especially those living with severe and chronic illnesses — healthy and at home.
“Open Arms is thrilled to see investment in healthy, nutritious meal programs that reduce both health care costs and hospitalization rates,” says Open Arms’ CEO Leah Hébert Welles. “The pilot program outlined in the MTM bill is a great step toward recognizing the impact of our medically tailored meals.”
We will keep you updated on ways that you can show support for this exciting bill. Stay tuned!