State-funded food prescriptions? No.

Whenever someone has a reasonable idea, it’s only a matter of time — often moments — before a legislator or activist proposes implementing it through a government program or a mandate. That’s one of this editorial board’s pet peeves. The latest example involves something known as “food prescriptions,” which refers to a new movement to promote healthier diets.

The basic concept is solid. Our diets obviously are connected to our overall health. Instead of simply treating people with drugs and medical procedures for common ailments such as diabetes and heart disease, healthcare providers attempt to create a meal plan for the patient that includes more fruits and vegetables. It’s targeting low-income people who often eat a fat-saturated diet.

Hospitals, nonprofit groups and healthcare plans already are partnering with local food banks and grocery stores to promote healthier eating. For instance, some food banks deliver to patients a food box with accompanying recipes and offers nutrition workshops and cooking classes. This is voluntary and has shown some promising results.

Some insurers also are choosing to offer some food coverage as a way to potentially reduce long-term healthcare costs. That’s fine, as it is, again, voluntary. Unfortunately, state and federal officials are trying to turn this concept into a government program, which means the usual array of taxpayer subsidies, grants and bureaucratic staffing.

The farm bill provided grants to fund the purchase of food in these “prescriptions.” And California lawmakers want to go even further. Assembly Bill 1644 “requires the Medi-Cal program to cover medically supportive food and nutrition, for at least 12 weeks, when determined to be medically necessary by a health care provider or health plan,” according to the legislative analysis.

The Legislature says that this would cost the general fund tens of millions of dollars annually, which explains why the bill failed this year, per CalMatters. It’s likely to re-emerge. It’s sensible to promote healthier eating, but insurers and food banks are perfectly capable of promoting this concept on their own. Can’t lawmakers simply applaud a good idea without trying to create a program?