HEALTH CARE: Harder Announces New Bill to Invest in Food-is-Medicine Programs

September 3, 2026 Press Release Half of all Stockton residents are diabetic or pre-diabetic, one of many chronic diseases made worse by food insecurity Harder’s bill expands local partnerships focused on tackling high rates of chronic disease through nutrition WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced new legislation to fight high rates of chronic diseases like diabetes in the Valley by investing in nutrition support services and new health care partnerships. Harder’s Partnerships for Better Health Act creates a new grant program at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), to expand access to healthy food and connect people with the support they need to stay healthy. Chronic disease takes a heavy toll on Valley families: For the half of Stockton residents who are diabetic or pre-diabetic, managing this kind of challenging chronic disease becomes even harder when health care is sparse, good nutrition is hard to find, and community services are disconnected. The Valley’s provider shortage also contributes to worsening chronic disease outcomes – San Joaquin County alone has 16 health professional shortage areas , and more than 500,000 new health care workers are needed across the state to meet demand by 2030. Despite being the fruit and nut basket of the country, one in ten residents of San Joaquin County are struggling with food insecurity – for those with chronic diseases, that means every meal can become part of the fight to keep their condition from getting worse. “People with chronic diseases like diabetes shouldn’t be struggling with poor nutrition and worse health outcomes in a place that grows a quarter of the nation’s food,” said Rep. Harder . “Washington isn’t doing enough to close the gaps between patients and the amazing local services that work night and day to deliver support. My bill changes that by investing in community partnerships to ensure our neighbors aren’t falling through the cracks and making good quality food a pillar of health care.” How the Partnerships for Better Health Act improves chronic disease health outcomes in the Valley: Direct Funding – Provides $15 million annually through 2031 for integrated medical care, nutrition support and education, and social services. Wrap Around Care – Bridges the gap between patients and the patchwork of providers, advocates, and nonprofits to establish a coordinated, wrap-around system of care in the communities that need it most, like underserved and rural areas. Fewer Hospitalizations – By investing in prevention and nutrition, this program will ultimately help keep patients out of the emergency room and reduce the mental and financial strain that comes with it. The Partnerships for Better Health Act would build on successful community partnerships like the Future Well Communities program, launched by Abbott in 2019 in Stockton and run jointly by the Stockton Emergency Food Bank, University of the Pacific, and other leading community organizations including Community Medical Centers, El Concilio, and APSARA to provide integrated care and nutrition services for people with diabetes. “Food is medicine, but it is also one of the ways we stabilize our community,” said Leonard Hansen, Stockton Emergency Food Bank President and CEO . “Through our work with Abbott, University of the Pacific and our health care partners, we have seen what happens when nutritious food, diabetes education and health care are brought together around the patient. Congressman Harder’s Partnerships for Better Health Act recognizes something we have learned here in Stockton: strong community partnerships can improve health, help prevent chronic disease from becoming a crisis, and give families a better opportunity to thrive.” “Complex health challenges require bold, innovative solutions, and University of the Pacific is honored to be part of the solution here in Stockton,” said University of the Pacific President Christopher Callahan . “We have seen the impact when higher education, health care providers and community organizations work together to address health disparities. The Partnerships for Better Health Act will build on our proven successes here in Stockton, providing opportunities for communities across the country to create similar solutions for their residents.” “The work we’ve done in Stockton over the past seven years has had significant impact, and we are optimistic that it can serve as a model for other communities looking for real-world answers to address chronic disease,” said Melissa Brotz, senior vice president, Abbott and president of Abbott Fund, the company’s philanthropic foundation . “When we build sustainable, community-driven partnerships, we can help more families live healthier lives.” ### Issues : Health Care