H.R. 1289 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Feb 13, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryProvides nutrition support through VA pilot program
The VA would launch a three-year pilot program called Food is Medicine that provides certain veterans with medically tailored meals, groceries, nutrition education, and cooking classes. The program would target veterans enrolled in VA health care who manage multiple chronic conditions, or pregnant veterans at risk of preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. The VA would also train its health care providers to include this nutrition support in treatment plans and work with local community organizations to source fresh produce.
How it affects you
If you're a veteran enrolled in VA health care dealing with multiple chronic conditions, or a pregnant veteran at risk of specific complications, you could receive nutritionally planned meals, groceries, and education to help manage your health. Veterans in other situations wouldn't be part of this pilot program.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Feb 13, 2025)
Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act of 2025
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and implement the Food is Medicine pilot program, under which the VA must provide medically tailored meals and groceries, nutrition education, and cooking classes to certain veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system. Specifically, the program is for veterans enrolled in the VA health care system who receive VA care for (1) multiple chronic conditions, or (2) maternal health and are at risk of preeclampsia or gestational diabetes.
The three-year pilot program also requires the VA to (1) develop and seek to implement training programs for VA health care providers in integrating the program into the treatment plans of veterans, and (2) seek to collaborate with community-based organizations to procure locally sourced produce and expand the availability of medically tailored meals and groceries.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1289
A BILL
Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16) · Introduced Feb 13, 2025 · Armed Forces and National Security · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 14, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.”