Big news out of Austin — the Texas House has passed a bill that could be a real game-changer for Texans on Medicaid when it comes to addressing nutrition and improving health.
HB 26, sponsored by Rep. Lacy Hull, would allow hashtagMedicaid to pay for nutrition counseling, instruction, and other support services — not just traditional medical care. It’s part of a growing approach called “in lieu of services,” giving health care providers and Medicaid health insurance plans more flexibility to offer non-medical services that address the real-life factors impacting health.
If the Senate and Governor sign off, Medicaid could soon cover nutritional support that’s often more affordable and leads to better health outcomes.
HB 26 also asks the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to keep track of how these new nutrition services are being used and report back to lawmakers each year. That way, the state can better understand what’s working and make sure Medicaid payment rates reflect the real cost of providing these supports.
EHF transforms health in Texas by tackling the factors that impact well-being beyond medical care alone.
Prevention is key — especially when it comes to chronic disease. New and smart policies like this move Texas closer to improving hashtagHealthNotJustHealthCare for all Texans.
