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SJR 23

A JOINT RESOLUTION declaring Kentucky a Food is Medicine state and directing state agencies to advance Food is Medicine initiatives.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Don Douglas and 2 co-sponsors

Kentucky declares itself a "Food is Medicine" state and orders agencies to develop nutrition-based health initiatives, pending House approval and implementation details.

signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 124)
#agriculture #commendationsandrecognitions #diseases #drugsandmedicines #foodsandbeverages #healthandmedicalservices #healthcareprofessionals #hospitalsandhealthfacilities #nurses #pharmacists #physicians #publichealth #stateagencies
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Bill Summary · SJR 23

Legislative bill overview

SJR 23 is a joint resolution that declares Kentucky a "Food is Medicine" state and directs state agencies to develop and advance initiatives treating food as a therapeutic intervention for health conditions. The resolution has passed the Senate and is now in the House Committee on Committees, having already undergone a committee substitute revision.

Why is this important

The resolution could reshape how Kentucky approaches chronic disease prevention and management by integrating nutrition-based interventions into state health policy, potentially affecting Medicaid, public health programs, and healthcare delivery. This reflects a growing national movement recognizing that dietary interventions can reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes for conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: The bill directs agencies to advance these initiatives but provides no dedicated funding mechanism, raising questions about how programs will be financed and which existing budgets will be redirected
  • Insurance coverage and liability: Expanding "food as medicine" programs raises unclear questions about whether treatments will be covered by insurance, what medical oversight is required, and who is liable if dietary interventions prove insufficient for serious conditions
  • Scope and evidence standards: The resolution lacks definition of which conditions qualify for food-based treatment and what scientific evidence standards agencies must meet, potentially allowing programs of varying quality and effectiveness

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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