U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) has introduced the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act, bipartisan legislation that would expand Medicare beneficiaries’ access to Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)... The bill would also allow more types of providers to refer patients to MNT, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, and psychologists... The Medical Nutrition Therapy Act would expand Medicare Part B coverage of outpatient medical nutrition therapy services to several currently uncovered diseases and conditions including prediabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, malnutrition, eating disorders, cancer, HIV/AIDS, gastrointestinal diseases including celiac disease, and cardiovascular disease.
Expand Medicare Part B coverage to include outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy services for additional diseases and conditions, and allow more types of providers to refer patients for these services.
Occurrences
Peters Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Access to Medical Nutrition Therapy ... bipartisan legislation that would expand Medicare beneficiaries’ access to Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) ... The bill would also allow more types of providers to refer patients to MNT, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, and psychologists. ... The Medical Nutrition Therapy Act would expand Medicare Part B coverage of outpatient medical nutrition therapy services to several currently uncovered diseases and conditions including prediabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, malnutrition, eating disorders, cancer, HIV/AIDS, gastrointestinal diseases including celiac disease, and cardiovascular disease. Currently, Medicare Part B only covers outpatient MNT for diabetes, renal disease, and post-kidney transplant.
Academy Urges Congress: Pass Bill to Expand to Nutrition Care Access (2/27/2026) ... New House Bill Key Piece to Address Nutrition Care Gap in America
The bill seeks to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the availability of medical nutrition therapy services under the Medicare program.
On February 26, 2026, Senators Susan Collins and Gary Peters introduced the bipartisan Medical Nutrition Therapy Act. This legislation aims to expand Medicare Part B coverage to include outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) services for additional conditions such as prediabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, malnutrition, eating disorders, cancer, HIV/AIDS, gastrointestinal diseases including celiac disease, and cardiovascular disease. The bill also proposes allowing more types of providers, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, and psychologists, to refer patients for these services.
The MNT Act of 2025 would change this by expanding Medicare Part B coverage of outpatient MNT services to include several currently uncovered conditions, including celiac disease. This legislation would help ensure that Medicare beneficiaries, especially older adults and those with limited resources, receive access to dietitians who can support their dietary needs. Under this bill, providers such as physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, and psychologists would also be able to refer patients for MNT.
Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2025
With the expanded eligibility outlined in the proposed act, 85.1% of all beneficiaries would qualify for MNT, primarily due to cardiovascular disease and related risk factors.
We are enthusiastic about helping to advance your bipartisan legislation that would enhance Medicare coverage for MNT to more conditions and expand referring capabilities to help patients most at risk of experiencing health disparities...your legislation would empower nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists and psychologists to refer their patients for MNT...While current law only allows Medicare to cover out-patient MNT services for patients suffering from renal disease and diabetes, your legislation would make MNT available for those confronting prediabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, malnutrition, eating disorders, cancer, gastrointestinal diseases including celiac disease, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease and any other disease or condition causing unintentional weight loss.
In May 2021, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act, a bipartisan legislation that would expand Medicare Part B to cover MNT services for additional conditions, including cancer, prediabetes, eating disorders, malnutrition, gastrointestinal diseases (e.g., celiac disease), cardiovascular disease, HIV/AIDS, and other diseases or conditions that cause unintentional weight loss. The bill will further authorize the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand MNT coverage for other diseases or conditions, as deemed medically necessary, and allow clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and psychologists to refer patients to MNT services.
Evidence
On February 26, 2026, Senators Susan Collins and Gary Peters introduced the bipartisan Medical Nutrition Therapy Act. This legislation aims to expand Medicare Part B coverage to include outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) services for additional conditions such as prediabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, malnutrition, eating disorders, cancer, HIV/AIDS, gastrointestinal diseases including celiac disease, and cardiovascular disease. The bill also proposes allowing more types of providers, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, and psychologists, to refer patients for these services.
On February 27, 2026, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics expressed strong support for the reintroduced Medical Nutrition Therapy Act, emphasizing its potential to address the nation's rising diet-related chronic diseases by increasing access to MNT provided by registered dietitian nutritionists. The Academy highlighted that studies show MNT is effective in treating and managing chronic conditions like diabetes and renal disease while lowering overall healthcare costs.
On February 26, 2026, the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2026 (S.3934) was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Finance. The bill seeks to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the availability of medical nutrition therapy services under the Medicare program.
A study published on April 28, 2025, in JAMA Network Open assessed the impact of the proposed Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023. The study found that under current Medicare criteria, 30.3% of beneficiaries were eligible for MNT. With the expanded eligibility outlined in the proposed act, 85.1% of all beneficiaries would qualify for MNT, primarily due to cardiovascular disease and related risk factors.
On November 20, 2025, the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2025 (H.R.6199) was introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on Ways and Means. The bill aims to expand Medicare Part B coverage for medical nutrition therapy services to additional conditions and allow more healthcare providers to order these services.
On November 25, 2025, the Celiac Disease Foundation announced the introduction of the bipartisan Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2025 (H.R.6199) in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Robin Kelly and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans. The legislation aims to expand Medicare Part B coverage of outpatient MNT services to include conditions such as celiac disease, ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries receive access to dietitians who can support their dietary needs.
On August 24, 2021, the Association of Community Cancer Centers discussed the potential benefits of the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act, emphasizing that if passed, the legislation could expand Medicare Part B to cover MNT services for patients with cancer. The article highlighted that MNT helps patients maintain strength, keep a healthy body weight, and decrease therapy side effects.
On March 24, 2022, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) sent a letter to Senator Gary Peters expressing strong support for the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2021 (S.1536). The letter emphasized the importance of expanding Medicare coverage for MNT to more conditions and allowing additional healthcare providers to refer patients for these services.
Assessments
Senator Gary Peters repeatedly introduced and supported the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act across multiple Congresses to expand Medicare Part B coverage for outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy services and to allow additional referral providers, matching the campaign promise. However, no evidence shows the bill was enacted into law or that the promised policy change was delivered during the relevant term(s). The legislative history demonstrates clear and sustained effort but not policy fulfillment.
Multiple credible sources, including official bill tracking and advocacy organizations, document that Senator Gary Peters led and repeatedly introduced the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act over several Congressional sessions. The legislation sought to expand Medicare Part B coverage as promised. However, there is no evidence the bill or any similar measure was enacted into law or effectuated via regulatory or executive action. Although the promise was not fulfilled, Senator Peters made ongoing, serious legislative efforts to realize it.