Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) Nutrition Learning Collaborative

Coordinator: Claire Londagin

What is the purpose of this group?

This group aims to support community based organizations that are interested in becoming HRSN nutrition service providers by facilitating peer to peer learning, bringing in subject matter experts to help participants integrate with Medicaid systems, facilitating coordinated advocacy at the state and local level, and providing policy updates and implementation guidance.

How to get involved:

This group is for community-based organizations in Oregon who are planning to become HRSN Service Providers under the current 1115 Waiver Demonstration period. There are some requirements to attend and contribute to this learning collaborative. If you want to learn more about available shared resources please reach out to claire@ocfsn.org.

What are Health Related Social Needs?

Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) are the “social and economic needs that individuals experience that affect their ability to maintain their health and well-being. They put individuals at risk for worse health outcomes and increased health care use. HRSN refers to individual-level factors such as financial instability, lack of access to healthy food, lack of access to affordable and stable housing and utilities, lack of access to health care, and lack of access to transportation.” (CMS, 2025)

Some Oregonians can now get support with their health related social needs through Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid). This is possible through the current 1115 Waiver demonstration*. These new services help some Oregon Health Plan members with housing and nutrition related needs. There are four HRSN food and nutrition related services included in this demonstration including…

  • Medically Tailored Meals

  • Nutrition Education

  • Pantry Stocking

  • Fruit and Vegetable Benefit

    • Medicaid is a joint federal and state health insurance program for people with low incomes or who are otherwise eligible. In Oregon we call our Medicaid health insurance plan Oregon Health Plan (OHP). 

    • There are certain federal Medicaid rules that each state must follow when implementing their programs. An 1115 Waiver is a way for a state to expand or adapt their programs and allow the state to demonstrate and evaluate novel policy approaches to meeting the needs of their population.

    • In 2022 Oregon submitted and received a waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The “demonstration period” of this waiver will end in September 30th, 2027. (OHA, 2025)

    • 1115 Waivers may be extended for up to five years. Upcoming waiver extensions or renewals from other states with HRSN provisions may provide some insight into the future renewal or extension of Oregon’s 1115 Waiver HRSN provisions under the current federal administration. See the KFF Medicaid Waiver Tracker for more insight. 

    • Learn more about section 1115 Demonstrations here.

Resources