Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is taking his battle against ultra-processed foods to the hospital bed, an initiative that’s already getting traction in Miami.
On Monday, Kennedy and Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, appeared at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital near South Miami to push U.S. hospitals to get on board with the updated food pyramid the federal government unveiled in January.
Hospitals across the country were sent a memo Monday that “reminds” them that they are required to provide patient meals that align with the federal dietary guidelines to remain eligible for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement payments, Kennedy said. He described it as “essentially a federal mandate” that was wanted and supported by hospitals.
Kennedy and Oz applauded Nicklaus for its early efforts, noting that it is the first Florida hospital to sign a statewide pledge offered by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson for hospitals to buy whole foods for patients from local farmers. #miami #dade #hospital #nicklaus #children #meals #food #farm #robertfkennedyjr
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✍️: Michelle Marchante
📹: Michelle Marchante, Pierre Taylor
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