Rural Hospitals Expect Strain in Meeting Healthier Food Demands

US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s ask that hospitals limit ultra-processed food offerings in favor of freshly prepared meals puts rural facilities at risk of dropping other services to accommodate the pricier food options.

A Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services memo sent to Medicare-qualifying hospitals on March 30 asks clinics to model menus after a new food pyramid that encourages consumers and federal programs to limit consumption of sugar and processed foods while increasing protein intake.

The notice sets a new bar for the nutrition services the CMS thinks hospitals must provide to remain eligible for certain federal ...