Utah lawmakers aim to restrict soda from being purchased with food stamps — not candy
This year, the Utah Legislature passed a law aiming to restrict Utahns from using SNAP funds to purchase soda. Here's a look at the law and what it does.
HB403, sponsored by Rep. Kristen Chevrier, R-Highland, does not actually ban the purchase of soda with SNAP funds, because states do not have that power; instead, it requires that the state request a waiver from the federal government in order to make the restriction.
There has been some confusion over whether the law is also trying to restrict candy as well, but it isn't — HB403 only mentions 'soft drinks.' The first version of HB403 did mention candy, but that part of the bill was removed.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is often referred to as food stamps.
The program 'provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being,' according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture website.
While presenting HB403 during the legislative session, Chevrier stated that soda is the most commonly purchased item with SNAP funds.
She added that the purpose of the program was to give people struggling financially 'greater spending power to purchase healthy, nutritious necessities, not to contribute to obesity, anxiety, depression and chronic illness.'
There are legislators in other states across the country who, like Chevrier, are looking at health reform through SNAP restrictions.
The law defines a 'soft drink' as 'a nonalcoholic beverage that is made with carbonated water and that is flavored and sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners.'
It also clarifies that ''soft drink' does not include a beverage that contains milk, milk products, soy, rice, or other milk substitutes, or that is greater than 50% vegetable or fruit juice by volume.'
SNAP is a national program that is managed by the state, so the state cannot make changes to the program without receiving a waiver from the federal government.
HB403 instructs the Utah Department of Workplace Services to submit a request for a waiver that would restrict Utahns from using food stamps to purchase soda. The request will be submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service.
Under the law, the Department of Workforce Service is required to submit a waiver request to restrict people from using SNAP funds to purchase soda by July 1.
The waiver request will include a justification that focuses on the health concerns leading to this law, as well as the intended use of SNAP and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
The request also has to list strategies for educating SNAP recipients on healthier alternatives, tracking the impact of the restrictions and updating point of sales systems.
If the waiver is approved, then the department will have to implement the new restrictions within six months.
But, if the waiver is denied, then the department must resubmit the waiver request within three months and continue to resubmit the request annually until it is approved.
There are already some restrictions nationally on what can and can't be purchased with food stamps.
According to the USDA, those using SNAP funds can purchase:
Fruits and vegetables
Meat, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Breads and cereals
Other foods such as snack foods and nonalcoholic beverages
Seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat
These items cannot be purchased using SNAP funds:
Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco
Vitamins, medicines and supplements
Live animals
Foods that are hot at the point of sale
Any nonfood items, including pet foods, cleaning supplies or toiletries
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Federal cuts force families to make difficult, and potentially deadly, choices
A mother rushes into the emergency department cradling her 6-month-old baby. He is lethargic, seizing and in critical condition. The cause? Severely low sodium levels in his blood — a result of formula diluted with extra water to make it last longer. With grocery prices climbing and her SNAP benefits running out before the end of the month, she felt she had no other choice. This story is not an outlier. Pediatric clinicians across Wisconsin are seeing the real and devastating consequences of policies that fail to prioritize the health and well-being of children and families. And now, the situation could get worse. The Trump Administration's proposed 'skinny' budget for Fiscal Year 2026 includes deep and dangerous cuts to federal programs that form the backbone of public health in our communities. These proposed reductions include: $18 billion from the National Institutes of Health – stalling critical pediatric research and innovation $3.5 billion from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – compromising disease surveillance, immunization programs, and emergency response efforts $1.73 billion from the Health Resources and Services Administration – cutting access to essential primary and preventive care services for children and families $674 million from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services – threatening the Medicaid and CHIP programs that provide health coverage to nearly half of Wisconsin's children. Opinion: We asked readers about wake boats on Wisconsin lakes. Here's what you said. And as if that weren't enough, further reductions to SNAP and other nutrition support programs are also on the table. These aren't just numbers on a spreadsheet. These are lifelines. Vital services that help children survive and thrive. When families can't afford formula, when clinics lose funding for immunization programs, when children lose health coverage, the consequences are immediate and, in many cases, irreversible. As front-line providers, we witness this every day. We can do better. Our federal budget is a reflection of our national values. It should not balance its books on the backs of our youngest and most vulnerable. I implore Wisconsin's elected officials to reject this harmful budget proposal. Think of that infant in the emergency room. Think of the thousands of other children across our state whose health and future depend on robust public health infrastructure, access to care, and support for families in need. We urge lawmakers to work toward a bipartisan budget that invests in children, strengthens public health, and protects the building blocks of a healthy society. Wisconsin's children deserve every opportunity to grow up healthy and strong. Our chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners stands ready to partner in this effort. Let's move forward — not backward — when it comes to the health of our children. Christine Schindler is a critical care pediatric nurse practitioner at Children's WI, a clinical professor at Marquette University, and the President of the Wisconsin Chapter of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. She has been caring for critically ill and injured children for almost 30 years. All opinions expressed are her own. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trump budget jeopardizes health of American children | Opinion
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
Texas bill allocates $13M for animal spay and neutering services
The Brief The budget passed by the Texas Legislature allocates $13 million to a pilot program to spay and neuter cats and dogs. Gov. Greg Abbott has yet to approve this funding. This builds off of recently passed legislation, Senate Bill 1568, which created specialty license plates to fund animal sterilization. Texas lawmakers passed a budget that sets aside $13 million for animal spaying and neutering services in order to limit the spread of infectious diseases. If approved by the governor, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) would lead a statewide pilot program over the next two years. What we know The program was created in an effort to reduce the prevalence of infectious diseases such as rabies, toxoplasmosis, and leptospirosis. These diseases, which can be transferred from animals to humans, can cause adverse side effects in people. What they're saying Shelby Bobosky, executive director of the Texas Humane Legislation Network (TLHN), said the pilot program is a crucial step forward in protecting both animals and people. "Shelters, veterinarians, and local communities have long struggled with limited resources to manage stray and feral animal populations," she said. "This funding is not only indispensable, but it also reflects a clear understanding by the Legislature that animal welfare is a vital part of our public health infrastructure." Bobosky believes the effort will help to tackle Texas' pet overpopulation problem while working to improve community health. The backstory The pilot program is a continuation of previous legislation the TLHN led: Senate Bill 1568, which passed on May 24, 2025. This bill, authored by State Senator Judith Zaffirini, a Democrat from South Texas, created specialty license plates to promote public participation in animal sterilization. The new license plates would include the phrase "Spray. Neuter. Adopt." The sales of this license plate would support the Animal Friendly Account to help fund programs and organizations that support animal sterilization in order to reduce stray populations. What's next If signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott, the DSHS will begin forming the plans and procedures to implement the pilot program over the upcoming months. The TLHN plans to work with animal shelters, veterinary professionals, rescue organizations, and local municipalities to collect feedback to share with the DSHS. The Source This information was gathered from Texas Policy Research, as well as a news release sent by the Texas Humane Legislation Network.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Intermountain Health launches cancer treatment program for patients with advanced melanoma skin cancer
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4 Utah) – May is Melanoma Awareness Month and Intermountain Health is unveiling an exciting new treatment program for Utahns with advanced melanoma cancer – the first time local patients have been treated with this advanced technology and new therapy in the Beehive State. Thanks to this new cutting-edge personalized cancer treatment program, Utahns who have advanced melanoma cancer no longer have to leave the state to get a groundbreaking new treatment that is showing promise for patients with the deadliest type of skin cancer. Intermountain Health has launched a new program to provide tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy to treat patients with a type of skin cancer called unresectable or metastatic melanoma that cannot be removed surgically or has spread to other parts of the body. It is the first time this therapy has been used to treat patients in Utah. This novel therapy works by using special immune cells, called lymphocytes, which are taken from the tumor itself. These cells are then multiplied in a lab and put back into the patient's body to help fight the cancer. As part of the treatment process, doctors use AMTAGVI, the first and only FDA-approved prescription medication for the treatment of advanced melanoma that has not responded to standard therapies. AMTAGVI activates the patient's own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells and represents a different approach compared to other immunotherapies. Instead of broadly stimulating the immune system, it harnesses a patient's own tumor-specific T cells to directly target and destroy cancer cells. Intermountain Health cancer experts say the groundbreaking treatment marks a significant advancement in the fight against advanced melanoma, offering a new option for patients with limited treatment alternatives. 'We're excited to offer this advanced therapy and the hope it provides for improved outcomes for patients who have not responded to standard therapies,' said Tawnya Bowles, MD, a surgical oncologist at Intermountain Health. 'The promise for patients is that this treatment will work against their advanced melanoma when other treatments have failed. These patients do not have as many treatment options once their tumor has progressed on standard treatments. This therapy offers new hope for these patients.' TIL therapy has been used for decades, but AMTAGVI allows the treatment to extend beyond select treatment centers by using a protocol that lets a patient's tumor T cells grow at centralized facilities in the United States. Previously, only limited academic facilities with lab facilities could grow and expand the T cells. For Utahns, having the therapy program available locally is a major advancement. Not only does Utah have the highest incidence of melanoma in the nation, but until now, Utahns needing TIL therapy had to travel out of state for their care. 'Each year we see Utah patients who need this next step of treatment for advanced melanoma, and these patients previously had to leave the state and incur the expense of travel and the increased stress of being away from home,' said Caroline Nebhan, MD, PhD, Intermountain Health medical oncologist. 'We're thrilled to be able to offer this advanced treatment close to home with our Intermountain Health oncology team.' Patients in the new Intermountain treatment program are supported by a multi-disciplinary team of clinicians, including oncology experts and patient navigators, who work closely with patients throughout their treatment. The therapy involves surgically removing a sample of the patient's tumor, from which tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are extracted. These TILs, which are immune cells capable of recognizing and attacking cancer cells, are then sent to a specialized manufacturing facility where they are expanded and multiplied into billions of cells. Once the manufacturing process is complete (approximately 34 days), the patient undergoes a short course of lymphodepleting chemotherapy to prepare their body for the infusion of the expanded TILs. Following the AMTAGVI infusion, patients may receive several doses of interleukin-2 (IL-2) to further stimulate the activity and growth of the infused T cells. Patients are cared for in the hospital for a period to monitor for potential side effects. Research results of the medication were promising. Clinical trial data supporting FDA approval of AMTAGVI demonstrated promising response rates and, in many cases, prolonged outcomes in patients with advanced melanoma, suggesting the potential for long-term control of the disease. 'We're committed to providing our patients with access to the most advanced and innovative cancer treatments,' said Dr. Bowles. 'The addition of AMTAGVI to our comprehensive oncology program underscores this commitment and offers new hope for patients battling advanced melanoma.' To learn more about cancer care at Intermountain Health, go to Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Sponsored by Intermountain Health. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
