Chronic disease is a threat not only to Americans’ physical health but also to the nation’s financial health. Conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and kidney failure account for trillions of dollars in annual health care spending and are among the leading causes of death in the U.S.
The growing consensus is clear that our health care system needs better solutions to manage chronic diseases. One promising tool is surprisingly simple: food.
But not just any food. We need nutritious, locally sourced, medically tailored meals — food-based interventions designed by registered dietitian nutritionists specifically for chronically ill Americans. These medically tailored meals are proven to improve health outcomes, reduce hospitalizations and lower health care costs. Just as important, they can reduce patients’ dependency on medications, making health care more effective and affordable.
At the Boston-based nonprofit I lead, we have seen firsthand how medically tailored meals can transform lives. One of our clients, for example, reduced his daily medications from 14 to just four after enrolling in our program. This is what we mean when we say “food is medicine” — food, either alone or in conjunction with pharmaceuticals, can help patients become and stay healthier.
These meals are not only about nourishment. They are about addressing the root causes of chronic diseases while offering real cost savings.
Medically tailored meals prioritize nutrition, treating the underlying causes of disease, not just symptoms. They reduce dependence on medication, leading to fewer prescriptions and better health outcomes. These meals prioritize fresh ingredients over processed foods, with a commitment to quality local food.
They lead to immediate cost savings, with reductions in hospitalizations and medical costs. And they support local businesses, strengthening local farms and fishing industries through prioritization of regional sourcing.
Does it work? The evidence is clear. Studies published in JAMA and Health Affairs show that medically tailored meals reduce hospitalizations by 49 percent and emergency room visits by 70 percent. They have also been shown to lower total medical costs by a remarkable 16 percent. Another recent study published in Health Affairs estimates that a nationwide rollout of medically tailored meals could save $32 billion annually.
In a time of policy uncertainty, one thing is clear: “Food is medicine” is a bipartisan opportunity to transform health care. The Make America Healthy Again movement is dedicated to reducing the burden of chronic diseases, decreasing reliance on pharmaceuticals and integrating nutrition into health care.
The Senate MAHA Caucus is already focused on improving access to high-quality, nutrient-dense foods and addressing the root causes of disease. Congress should act now to expand medically tailored nutrition for veterans, older Americans and people with disabilities — groups who stand to benefit the most.
Let us seize this moment and make medically tailored nutrition a central part of making America healthy again.
David B. Waters is the CEO of Community Servings, a Boston-based nonprofit provider of medically tailored meals and nutrition services, and founder of the AMPL Institute.