Committee hears advocates: medically tailored meal guidelines would keep contracts local and expand access

Lawmakers heard testimony Jan. 14 on House Bill 22-11, which provides implementation guidance for medically tailored meal (MTM) programs operating under Washington’s Medicaid transformation waiver. Staff described MTMs as fresh or frozen meals designed by an authorized health care provider to treat a person’s medical condition and noted the bill would require vendors contracting with DSHS or the Health Care Authority to be Washington-based nonprofits “to the extent possible,” require menu review by a qualified medical professional, and set nutrition standards including culturally appropriate options and a target of one-third of daily carbohydrate and protein needs per meal.