American Hospital Association Leaders Join HHS Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge

WASHINGTON - AUGUST 14, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced that health systems represented by the past, current, and incoming chair of the American Hospital Association (AHA) have joined the Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge, strengthening a nationwide effort to improve the quality of food served in America's hospitals and reinforce the role of nutrition in patient care. Corewell Health in Michigan, Houston Methodist in Texas, and Sanford Health in South Dakota all signed onto the pledge.

"Hospitals cannot promote healing while serving food that contributes to chronic disease," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "By joining this pledge, these health systems are putting nutrition where it belongs - at the center of patient care. We are working with hospitals across America to serve healthier food, improve patient health, and Make America Healthy Again."

"The AHA supports the Administration's continued focus on meeting patients' nutritional needs that promotes healing, recovery and patient health," said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. "Hospitals across the country work closely with registered dieticians and clinical staff to provide patients with high quality, nutritious meals that embrace the notion that 'food is medicine.' We are committed to helping hospitals - as clinically appropriate and feasible - ensure that patients have access to nourishing meals, including by sharing this voluntary pledge with the hospital field and encouraging them to review it and give it serious consideration."

The voluntary Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge, launched by HHS through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), encourages hospitals to reduce highly processed foods, prioritize nutrient-dense meals, and align patient nutrition with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

"Nutrition is a cornerstone of good health and better patient outcomes," said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. "The commitments made today by the American Hospital Association's leadership will help accelerate adoption of healthier food practices across the country and reduce the burden on our healthcare system by promoting long-term wellness."

The Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge calls on participating hospitals to:

• Limit highly processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages
• Use baked, broiled, roasted, stir-fried, or grilled cooking methods instead of deep frying
• Limit processed meats and foods high in added sugars, sodium, and artificial additives
• Emphasize whole grains over refined grains
• Prioritize minimally processed proteins, including plant-based options

The pledge builds on existing Medicare requirements that hospitals meet each patient's individual nutritional needs and aligns with the Trump Administration's broader efforts to place nutrition and prevention at the center of American healthcare.

Hospitals interested in joining the Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge can learn more and sign the pledge here.