Detroit Evening Report: State seeking input on nutrition, food security programs for Medicaid recipients

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is seeking public input on potential services for Medicaid recipients designed to address food insecurity and increase access to healthy foods.

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The nutrition programs would be offered to Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan enrollees as “in lieu of services” (ILOS) options, or services the state considers to be medically appropriate and cost effective when provided as substitutes to other Medicaid-covered services.

The ILOS programs would be offered to residents through their health plan and delivered by a community-based provider such as a food bank, meal provider or a food pharmacy.

“MDHHS is working to address social determinants of health by investing in and engaging with community-based organizations,” MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said about the program in a news release. “The department is excited for the opportunity to collaborate with community partners on this innovative effort to improve the health of Michigan residents enrolled in Medicaid health plans through nutrition services.”

The department is seeking comment on four potential ILOS services: Medically-tailored home delivered meals, healthy home delivered meals, healthy food packs and produce prescription.

MDHHS is specifically seeking input from community-based nutrition service providers, community-based organizations, advocacy groups, federally recognized Michigan Indian tribes, providers of health care, health systems, health plans and other interested parties.

Any feedback received will be used to refine the programs before submitting them for federal approval and implementation. Those interested in providing feedback should share their responses via email to MDHHS-EngageMedicaid@michigan.gov by 5 p.m. April 5.

More information can be found at Michigan.gov/MDHHSILOS.

Other headlines for Friday, March 15, 2024:

• The Schoolcraft Improvement Association is calling for Third Circuit Judge Dana Hathaway to revoke a special land-use permit for a cement crushing facility operating in northwest Detroit.
• Spring is coming which means prom season is near. Comerica Bank is hosting its sixth annual Prom Dress Drive benefiting Jackets for Jobs, March 18- April 12, to help make prom dresses available to teens in need.
• As a part of 313 Day weekend, Extra Crispy Studios is hosting the Detroit Day Artist Market from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 16.
• Legendary songstress Dionne Warwick is coming back to the Music Hall stage for a concert at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 17.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.