TX HB26

Authorizes Medicaid managed care organizations to offer nutrition counseling and instruction services as alternatives to standard state Medicaid plan services, with the list of approved services determined by the state Medicaid managed care advisory committee

Explicitly excludes home-delivered meals, food prescriptions, and grocery support from the list of permitted nutrition services that can substitute for standard Medicaid services

Establishes an optional pilot program for pregnant Medicaid recipients with chronic conditions contributing to high-risk pregnancies (gestational diabetes, hypertension, obesity) to receive enhanced nutrition support services including medically tailored meals designed by registered dietitians

Requires the commission to collect data on pilot program participants including compliance rates, pregnancy health outcomes, chronic disease symptom impacts, and newborn/infant health outcomes, with a final report to the legislature after program termination

Pilot program terminates August 31, 2030, with the authorizing section expiring September 1, 2031; the act takes effect September 1, 2025 and applies to contracts entered into or renewed after that date