Food is Medicine Act on Governor Kevin Stitt's desk for approval

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Republican Senator Adam Pugh (R-Edmond) introduced a bill this session that would allow programs supplying healthy and fresh foods to be covered by Medicaid.If signed, in order to be effective, the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority will need approval from the federal government.Oklahoma AG Drummond wants to recover lost CVS Medicaid fundsCrops.

Image courtesy OKC Food HubSenator Pugh believes the bill could boost the agricultural economy and help Oklahomans live healthier lifestyles."Giving someone an insurance card doesn't make them healthy, it just changes who pays the bill," said Senator Pugh in February's session meeting.Senator Pugh also said supplementing prescription medicine with the consumption of long-term nutritional foods could make a big difference.



Jenna Moore is the director of OKC Food Hub, a nonprofit working with local farmers, connecting them to communities needing fresh produce.OKC Food Hub van. Image courtesy OKC Food Hub"If we're able to use this bill to provide access and to compensate for the cost, I think people are ready for a change," said Moore.

However, due to recent federal funding cuts within the agency, some, like Moore, are concerned."Other funding is getting cut, and regular retail buyers are not really ready to try to help grow the fruit and vegetable local market in Oklahoma," said Moore."If Medicaid doesn't have enough dollars to buy local foods and start these programs, that could definitely affect the scale and ability for it to be effective," Moore adds.

The legislation is now waiting on a signature from the governor to be signed into law or vetoed..