Expressing support for the designation of September 14, 2025, as National Food is Medicine Day.
Summary
House Resolution 712 expresses support for designating September 14, 2025, as "National Food is Medicine Day." The resolution highlights the importance of nutritious food for Americans' health and recognizes food as a tool to prevent, manage, and treat certain clinical conditions. It urges the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to sustain research, collaborate with the USDA, and scale the appropriate use of food as medicine.
Expected Effects
If passed, this resolution would increase awareness of the role of food in healthcare. It could lead to increased funding for research and programs related to food as medicine. It may also encourage healthcare providers to integrate nutrition into patient care plans.
Potential Benefits
- Increased awareness of the importance of nutrition in healthcare.
- Potential for improved health outcomes through food-based interventions.
- Possible reduction in healthcare costs associated with chronic diseases.
- Support for research and development in the field of food as medicine.
- Encourages collaboration between HHS and USDA to leverage food as a healthcare tool.
Potential Disadvantages
- The resolution itself does not allocate funding or mandate specific actions, so its impact may be limited.
- Potential for increased government regulation of food and healthcare industries.
- The concept of "food as medicine" may be misinterpreted or misused.
- There may be challenges in implementing food-based interventions on a large scale.
- Reliance on HHS and USDA for action, which may be subject to political changes.
Constitutional Alignment
The resolution aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution's preamble, which aims to "promote the general Welfare." While the Constitution does not explicitly mention healthcare or nutrition, Congress has historically used its power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8) to address public health concerns. The resolution does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).