About a year ago, California passed bill SB 1138, which requires plant-based options in hospitals and prisons. Recently, a similar bill in New York just passed assembly! Bill A04072 would require hospitals and nursing homes to offer plant-based food options to patients upon request.
The justification for the bill states: “Plant-based diets (PBD) are those free of animal products such as meat, seafood, dairy, and eggs. In 2017, the American Medical Association adopted a resolution that calls on hospitals to improve patient health by “providing a variety of healthful food, including plant-based meals” (Healthy Food Options in Hospitals H-150.949). Doctors may recommend or order PBD for patients suffering from heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and other conditions, and patients may choose PBD for a variety of other reasons.”
Essentially, the bill promotes plant-based eating as a healthy way to treat patients. They cited the American Medical Association, and clearly many medical professionals agree. Doctor Michelle McMacken of New York’s Bellevue Hospital treats patients with chronic health issues with a plant-based eating program she designed.
As Senator Brad Hoylman, sponsor of the bill said, “Studies repeatedly show that transitioning to a more plant-based diet alleviates the side effects associated with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.” Plant-based eating has been linked to lower rates of cancer, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and better blood sugar.
It’s great news for all patients in New York that this bill was passed by the Assembly. Hopefully it’s signed into law by the governor and the other states will follow suit in the interest of public health!
If you’re interested in eating more plant-based meals for your health, check out our Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition. We also highly recommend downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 15,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!
For more Vegan Food, Health, Recipe, Animal, and Life content published daily, don’t forget to subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter!
Being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high quality content. Please support us!