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2021 Session

Budget Amendments - HB1800 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: McQuinn
Produce Prescription Pilot Program

Item 313 #22h

Item 313 #22h

First Year - FY2021 Second Year - FY2022
Health and Human Resources
Department of Medical Assistance Services FY2021 $0 FY2022 $2,000,000 GF

Language
Page 345, line 39, strike "$17,494,923,315" and insert "$17,496,923,315".

Page 382, after line 17, insert:

"AAAAAA.1. Out of this appropriations, $2,000,000 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the Produce Rx pilot program, pursuant to House Bill 2065 proposed in the 2021 Session.  Funding may be used to match any available federal funding for such purposes. The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall transfer such funds as needed to the Department of Social Services for the implementation of the pilot program.

2. The department, in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Social Services, shall identify additional sources of federal funding that may be available to assist with the implementation of the Produce Rx pilot program and its sustainability. The department shall report on the availability of federal funds and any necessary changes to the design and implementation of the program needed to access such funds to the Department of Social Services. Such information shall be included in the required report on the pilot program to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1 annually."



Explanation

(The amendment adds $2.0 million the second year from the general fund and language to support the Produce Rx pilot program pursuant to House Bill 2065 proposed in the 2021 Session, which can be used as matching funds for any federal funding that may be available. The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is directed to transfer such funds to DSS as needed to support the pilot program. This amendment also adds language requiring the DMAS to identify additional sources of federal funding for the Produce Rx pilot program. Language requires DMAS to work with the Department of Social Services (DSS), which has responsibility for establishing the pilot program, advise DSS on any necessary design and implementation changes in order to access additional federal funds. and to include such information to DSS for reporting purposes. Title IV of the federal Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 included authorization for the Produce Prescription Program (PPP), which provides limited funding for pilot projects for nonprofit organizations or State/local agencies to partner with healthcare providers to (i) provide fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income individuals suffering from or at risk of developing diet-related health conditions, and (ii) evaluate the impact of these types of projects on dietary health, food security, and health care use and costs.)