Produce Prescriptions for Veterans

Summary#

This bill, titled the Produce Prescriptions for Veterans Act, would change Title 38 of the U.S. Code to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide "produce prescriptions" as a medical service. The bill adds a new subparagraph to section 1701(6) to list the provision of produce prescriptions among medical services. It also adds a definition for "produce prescription." Under that definition, a produce prescription is a service in which the Secretary provides a benefit to a veteran who has a diet-related chronic condition and is food-insecure, or refers that veteran to receive a benefit. The benefit may include a voucher or debit card for the purchase of fruits and vegetables to address the veteran's diet-related chronic condition.

What it means for you#

• If you are a veteran with a diet-related chronic condition and you are food-insecure, this bill would authorize the VA Secretary to provide you a benefit or refer you to receive a benefit to buy fruits and vegetables.
• The bill specifically lists vouchers or debit cards as possible forms of the benefit.
• The change is made by adding the new service and definition into Title 38, section 1701 of U.S. law.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on expected costs, budget changes, or funding details is included in the bill text or provided metadata.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text or provided metadata about proponents' statements, arguments, or supporting materials.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text or provided metadata about opponents' statements, arguments, or objections.