Meal deliveries can save money and improve health. Will they survive Medicaid cuts?
A study shows that medically-tailored meal deliveries for Medicaid patients significantly improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. However, these programs face potential cancellation due to recent federal budget cuts to Medicaid.
Why it matters
The tension between fiscal austerity and public health spending highlights the challenges of maintaining social safety nets that demonstrate long-term economic efficiency.
On a weekday morning in a quiet Boston neighborhood, a kitchen bustled with activity. Volunteers sliced chicken breasts, stuffed bell peppers, filled trays, and carefully labeled each item.
This story was produced in partnership with KFF Health News .
It was part of an experiment to offer nutritious and medicall- tailored meals to Medicaid patients who are unable to shop for groceries and cook for themselves.
"Once I started to eat these meals that were geared toward my illness, I built up my muscle mass again, built up my strength, built up my confidence in myself," said Vanessa Georges, who is in remission from throat cancer and said she would struggle to consume enough calories without the deliveries.
"These meals have given me a second chance."
Georges said she noticed another benefit from the meals: She spends less time at the doctor's office.
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