SB 497, An Act Protecting Food Security For Veterans And Others And Mitigating Federal Cuts To Nutritional Assistance

TESTIMONY OF THE CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
SUBMITTED TO THE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) appreciates this opportunity to submit testimony concerning SB 497, An Act Protecting Food Security For Veterans And Others And Mitigating Federal Cuts To Nutritional Assistance.  CHA supports the bill.

Connecticut hospitals make our state stronger by delivering nationally recognized, world-class care, supporting jobs and economic growth, and serving communities across Connecticut.  Every day, hospitals improve access, affordability, and health equity — providing care to all patients regardless of ability to pay.  At the same time, hospitals invest in their workforce and local communities, even as they navigate significant financial and federal challenges.

SB 497 seeks to (1) strengthen food security for vulnerable populations, including veterans amid federal policy changes, (2) advance food as medicine strategies through Medicaid, and (3) support community nutrition programs that improve health outcomes for Connecticut residents.

CHA supports the bill’s provisions to protect access to nutrition assistance and stabilize food access for those most at risk of losing benefits due to changes in federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements.  Ensuring continuity of food access is an important public health strategy that can help prevent worsening health conditions and avoidable healthcare utilization for Connecticut’s most vulnerable populations.

CHA also supports the bill’s provision directing the Department of Social Services (DSS) to seek federal approval for a Medicaid Section 1115 waiver to implement a food as medicine pilot program.  Food as medicine is a model of care in which healthcare providers incorporate nutrition interventions into treatment plans to prevent or manage chronic disease.  Interventions such as medically tailored meals, medically supportive groceries, and food produce prescription programs enable providers to address diet-sensitive conditions through nutrition-based care plans.

Hospitals routinely screen patients for health-related social needs and connect individuals with community resources when needs are identified.  Food insecurity is one of the most frequently identified needs among hospital patients and contributes to the development and worsening of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.

Many hospitals participate in partnerships that address food insecurity through food as medicine initiatives, including produce prescription programs, hospital-based food pantries, and collaborations with community food providers.  While these programs have demonstrated positive impacts, many rely on grant funding and cannot meet the full level of need across the state.  Establishing Medicaid coverage for food as medicine interventions would provide a sustainable financing mechanism to expand these programs and strengthen partnerships between healthcare providers, community organizations, and local food systems.

CHA also supports the bill’s provisions increasing funding for community nutrition programs such as Meals on Wheels.  Many hospitals collaborate with organizations that deliver Meals on Wheels and other nutrition services to older adults and individuals with disabilities.  Ensuring reimbursement rates keep pace with rising costs is essential to maintaining access to these services and helping older adults remain healthy and independent.

To support effective implementation of the food as medicine pilot, CHA respectfully recommends that:

  • Data collection and program evaluation rely primarily on existing Medicaid claims data and public health datasets to minimize additional reporting requirements for providers
  • DSS align any clinical outcome reporting with existing quality reporting programs to avoid duplicative administrative burden
  • Participation in the pilot remains voluntary for healthcare providers and health systems
  • DSS work collaboratively with hospitals and community partners to design implementation in a way that supports care coordination while minimizing administrative complexity

Policies that strengthen food security and integrate nutrition into healthcare delivery present an important opportunity to improve population health, reduce health disparities, and support preventive care.

Thank you for your consideration of our position.  For additional information, contact CHA Government Relations at (203) 294-7301.