Dear Members of Congress:
On behalf of AMAC Action and the millions of members of the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC), I write to express our support for H.R. 5439, the Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Program Pilot Act, introduced by Representatives James McGovern and Nicole Malliotakis.
AMAC Action strongly supports policies that help older Americans maintain their health, independence, and dignity while also protecting the long-term sustainability of Medicare. H.R. 5439 represents a practical opportunity to determine whether better nutrition following hospitalization can improve health outcomes and reduce costly hospital readmissions.
The legislation would establish a six-year Medicare pilot program through which participating hospitals would provide medically tailored, home-delivered meals to qualifying Medicare beneficiaries following hospitalization. These meals would be designed to address the specific nutritional needs associated with an individual's medical condition and would be provided for at least 12 weeks following discharge.
For many older Americans living with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or kidney disease, proper nutrition is an important part of recovery and ongoing disease management. Yet the period immediately following a hospitalization can be precisely when obtaining and preparing appropriate meals is most difficult.
H.R. 5439 takes a targeted approach to addressing this challenge. Rather than creating a broad new permanent benefit, the legislation establishes a pilot program designed to measure whether medically tailored meals can improve clinical outcomes, reduce hospital readmissions, and lower health care expenditures.
We believe this emphasis on measurable results and accountability is particularly important.
Medicare should continually seek innovative ways to improve care while protecting taxpayer dollars. If a relatively modest, short-term nutritional intervention can help a recovering senior avoid another expensive hospitalization, both the beneficiary and the Medicare program stand to benefit. Conversely, a properly structured pilot provides policymakers with the evidence necessary to determine whether such an approach produces meaningful clinical and financial results before considering broader implementation.
The legislation also recognizes the importance of helping seniors recover and remain safely in their own homes. AMAC Action has consistently supported policies that promote aging at home, personal independence, and greater choice for older Americans. Helping vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries successfully transition from the hospital back into their communities is consistent with those principles.
We commend Representatives McGovern and Malliotakis for working across party lines on a proposal focused on prevention, measurable outcomes, and the health and independence of America's seniors.
AMAC Action is pleased to support H.R. 5439, the Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Program Pilot Act, and urges Congress to advance this bipartisan legislation.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Weber
President
AMAC Action