This webinar showcases promising approaches that demonstrate how food-related interventions can improve health outcomes and support whole-person care. As the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) continues implementation of HB 26 (89th Texas Legislature, 2005), which authorizes nutrition support as an In Lieu of Service (ILOS), these examples offer valuable insights into the potential impact of nutrition-focused strategies for Medicaid populations. We encourage you to watch the webinar to learn more about these innovative programs and their role in advancing health in Texas. 

Description:

Nourish Texas: Feeding Texas will provide a high-level overview of Nourish Texas, the food bank network’s clinical intervention that leverages healthy food, nutrition education, and holistic supports. Existing food bank relationships with Medicaid members is the unique “stickiness” that drives engagement and outcomes.

CTFB/People’s Community Clinic/BCBSTX Mobile FARMacy: In partnership with the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) and People’s Community Clinic, the Population Health Team at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas developed a program to improve patient engagement, close HEDIS gaps, and expand access to fresh produce for members facing food insecurity. By coordinating CTFB’s onsite Mobile FARMacy distributions at primary care clinics, the program promoted nutrition education, strengthened provider-patient relationships, enhanced SDOH screening, and supported healthier lifestyles by delivering fresh fruits and vegetables and nutritious grocery items directly during care visits. 

Houston Food Bank/CHC/UTHealth: This project was a collaborative partnership between Community Health Choice, the Houston Food Bank, and UTHealth Houston School of Public Health to implement and study a FoodRx intervention. Together, the organizations evaluated the Houston Food Bank’s Food Rx program for high-risk pregnant women and found that it improved dietary behaviors, health outcomes, and self-rated health. Funded by the Episcopal Health Foundation, the project integrated healthcare, community-based food access, and rigorous data analysis to demonstrate the impact and scalability of Food is Medicine models.