Project approved by the committee goes to the Chamber plenary; health plans will have to accept tests requested by nutritionists
On Wednesday (April 29, 2026), the (Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Commission) approved a bill that obliges health plan operators to cover laboratory tests requested by nutritionists.
Coverage must be ensured when exams are indicated for “nutritional assessment and monitoring” of the patient and are in accordance with legal guidelines and limits of professional activity.
According to the text, the expansion of this professional competence through infra-legal means, such as decrees, ordinances and resolutions, is prohibited.
On the recommendation of the rapporteur, deputy (Republicanos-PR), the version of the PL (bill) by the deputy (PP-PE) was approved. The substitute changes the law, known as the Health Plans Law.
In justifying the project, the deputy says that current legislation already establishes the competence of nutritionists to request laboratory tests, but that “There are still challenges in complying with this determination, resulting in many establishments refusing to accept such requests”.
“The proposal reinforces the commitment to improving the quality of health care, ensuring that patients have access to the necessary exams, without bureaucratic obstacles, and strengthening the role of the nutritionist in the multidisciplinary health team”, says the justification.
As it was analyzed conclusively, the proposal may go to the , unless there is an appeal for analysis in the Chamber Plenary. To become law, the final version of the text must be approved by both Houses.
Originally, the project amended the law, which regulates the profession of nutritionist. The objective, according to the author, is to prevent operators from hindering or preventing nutritionists from requesting tests.
This text was originally published by , on April 29, 2026. The content is free for republication, citing the source, it was adapted to the standard of Poder360 and received additional information.
