Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, and HMS (NASDAQ:HMSY), one of the nation’s leaders in cost containment for healthcare payers, are teaming up fora Virtual Town Hall meeting this Thursday at 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT.

The Town Hall, which will be focused on the connection between hunger and health, will be available via conference call following registration, and can be followed on Facebook and Twitter under #HungerAndHealth.

“As America has become more aware of the complex intersections occurring between food insecurity, poor nutrition, and chronic disease, we feel now is the right time for this Virtual Town Hall meeting,” said Elaine Waxman, vice president of research and nutrition for Feeding America. “Thanks to HMS, Feeding America will be able to bring three of the best individuals together to discuss these intersections and what this country is facing as a result.”

To discuss the relationship between hunger and diet-related disease, specifically as it pertains to food insecurity, Feeding America has put together the following panel:

  • Hilary Seligman, M.D., University of California San Francisco, Center for Vulnerable Populations
  • David Just, Ph.D., Cornell University, Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs
  • Marydale DeBor, J.D., Fresh Advantage LLC, Founder and Managing Director

“HMS is honored to be a part of this Virtual Town Hall Meeting with Feeding America,” said Bill Lucia, CEO of HMS. "Our company is committed to protecting healthcare options for underserved individuals, which is why we are involved with this important discussion. This dialogue will help highlight additional steps that can be taken to improve the health of low-income Americans."

Each of the panelists will discuss areas of concern involving health and hunger, including Americans’ access to affordable and nutritious food, diet-related disease, and how healthy food can reduce re-admission and relapses with hospitals.

To register or learn more about the Feeding America Virtual Town Hall meeting, visit www.feedingamerica.org/townhall.

About Feeding America

Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 37 million people through 61,000 food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

About HMS

HMS Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ:HMSY), through its subsidiaries, is the nation's leader in coordination of benefits and program integrity services for healthcare payers. HMS's clients include health and human services programs in more than 40 states; commercial payers, including group health plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, more than 150 Medicaid managed care plans, and employers; the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); and Veterans Administration facilities. As a result of the company's services, clients recovered more than $3 billion in 2013, and saved billions more through the prevention of erroneous payments.