hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Expands Medicare nutrition therapy coverage to include more chronic conditions.
Sen. Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Peters (D-MI).
Introduced in the Senate, referred to committee.
This bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, aims to broaden who can receive and refer for medical nutrition therapy under Medicare. It adds several new conditions, such as obesity and cancer, for which Medicare beneficiaries could receive these services. The bill has just been introduced and assigned to a committee for review.
Introduced Feb 26, 2026
This bill was introduced in the Senate on February 26, 2026, and immediately referred to the Committee on Finance. For it to become law, it must be approved by this committee, then pass a full vote in the Senate, then pass the House of Representatives, and finally be signed by the President.
If this bill passes, many more Medicare beneficiaries could access nutrition counseling services for a wider range of chronic conditions beyond just diabetes and kidney disease. This includes conditions like obesity, prediabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, malnutrition, eating disorders, cancer, gastrointestinal diseases (including Celiac disease), HIV, AIDS, and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and even clinical psychologists (for eating disorders) could refer patients for these services, potentially making it easier to get the care you need.
Supporters Say
Expanding nutrition therapy access can prevent, delay, and manage chronic diseases, improving health outcomes and potentially reducing overall healthcare costs.
Critics Say
Potential concerns could include increased Medicare spending or questions about the specific scope and effectiveness for all newly covered conditions.
Proponents of the bill, as highlighted in its findings, argue that medical nutrition therapy is a cost-effective and clinically proven treatment for many chronic conditions that affect a large number of Medicare beneficiaries. They believe expanding coverage will lead to better health for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Critics might raise questions about the potential increase in program costs or argue that existing coverage is sufficient, although the bill explicitly notes current coverage is limited.