logo
How proposed federal cuts are threatening Maine's free school meals for all

How proposed federal cuts are threatening Maine's free school meals for all

Yahoo19-03-2025

Students getting their l lunch at a primary school in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Amanda Mills/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Maine's universal free school meals program is under threat as a result of proposed federal budget cuts, combined with the drop in bipartisan support at the state level.
Five years ago, Maine became one of the first states nationwide to make school meals free for all students regardless of family income. That resulted in a majority of students benefiting from the program and led to increases in the number of students eating at school, but with a proposed $12 billion federal funding cut to school meals and cuts to Medicare and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the inability of the state to make up for the loss of federal funding in the state budget, advocates are sounding the alarm to try and preserve free breakfast and lunch, as well as summer and after school meals for all public school students.
For a state such as Maine, which faces the highest child food insecurity in New England, that presents serious cause for concern, according to experts from several nonprofit organizations, the Maine Department of Education and food bank leaders.
'We're very concerned about these overlapping cuts as they pile on,' said Anna Korsen, policy and program director at Full Plates Full Potential, a nonprofit working with the state on several nutrition programs.
'We know that school budgets cannot shoulder those cuts. We know that the state budget can't afford these cuts. So we're concerned about how all of them together will impact funding for these programs.'
Under the universal meal program, the state pays districts to offer meals without charging students, but the amount of money that comes from the federal government depends on the percentage of low-income families each public school serves. The higher the percentage of families that qualify for free meals, the bigger the federal reimbursement. Traditionally, this percentage was determined by parents filling out free-and-reduced meal applications, but now that school meals are free for all students, the state shifted away from relying on the applications and now uses different ways of determining the free and reduced meal eligibility in each school, which is an important data point used for various federally funded programs.
One option is the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which at least 75 schools are using this year, according to Maine Department of Education and federal data. CEP simplifies the process by automatically qualifying schools with a high percentage of low-income students for the higher reimbursement rate.
Under the Biden administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees school lunch programs, lowered the CEP eligibility threshold from 40% to 25%, meaning more schools could receive federal meal funding starting the 2024-25 school year. However, Maine has not yet adopted this change. If it does, nearly 400 schools could qualify for CEP starting next year. The 75 schools currently using the provision all qualified using the 40% threshold.
But the $12 billion cut proposes raising the CEP threshold to 60%, drastically reducing the number of eligible schools in Maine from hundreds to just 31. This would put the burden on the state or districts, which does not have the budget to support the lack of funding, Korsen said.
Cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would further strain the free meals program by reducing eligibility for federal reimbursement, because CEP takes into account participation in these programs to determine which families can be considered economically disadvantaged.
Last year, the Maine Department of Education also started using this data (called direct certification) to determine student eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch.Any child who is enrolled in SNAP or MaineCare, the state's Medicaid program, is automatically deemed eligible for free and reduced price school meals, so that means that the school is going to receive federal funding to support feeding those students even without being a CEP school, Korsen said.
If work requirements or other restrictions are added to SNAP and MaineCare, fewer families would qualify for these programs. As a result, even the 31 schools that currently meet the 60% threshold for CEP could lose their eligibility.
'At some point there's going to have to be hard choices, and we don't want school meals for all to suffer because of that,' she said.
Finally, Korsen warned that although Gov. Janet Mills has called for extending the universal meal program in her budget proposal, its once bipartisan support is 'unraveling at the state level,' as the cost of the program has grown with inflation.
SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sly Stone died after prolonged battle with COPD. The condition can be debilitating.
Sly Stone died after prolonged battle with COPD. The condition can be debilitating.

USA Today

timean hour ago

  • USA Today

Sly Stone died after prolonged battle with COPD. The condition can be debilitating.

Sly Stone died after prolonged battle with COPD. The condition can be debilitating. Show Caption Hide Caption Health officials warn of highest whooping cough cases in a decade The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sounding the alarm about a spike in whooping cough cases in the United States. Straight Arrow News Sly Stone, an icon of funk music, has died at the age of 82 following a prolonged battle with COPD, a chronic lung condition that can block airflow and cause difficulty breathing. "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone," a statement shared with USA TODAY on June 9 reads. "After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family." The statement continued: "While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come." Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, describes an ongoing group of lung conditions that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is the result of damaged lung tissue, which leads to inflammation that irritates the airway and limits airflow. Because such damage usually worsens over time, "COPD mostly affects people who are 50 or older," Dr. Shawn Aaron, senior scientist of the inflammation and chronic disease program at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in Canada, previously told USA TODAY. Here's what medical experts want you to know about COPD. Funk pioneer Sly Stone, leader of Sly and the Family Stone, dies at 82 What are the symptoms of COPD? Common symptoms of COPD include wheezing, chest tightness, a painful and persistent cough (with and without accompanying mucus) and fatigue. "Another of the most worrisome features of the disease can be periodic flare-ups, called exacerbations, which can greatly diminish your ability to breathe," Dr. Meilan King Han, pulmonary diseases specialist at University of Michigan Health, previously told USA TODAY. Due to the severity of such episodes, "some COPD patients can end up hospitalized," she added. COPD also makes people more vulnerable to respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, COVID-19 and tuberculosis. Related complications are why "COPD is a leading cause of death both in America and worldwide," Dr. David Mannino, chief medical officer at the COPD Foundation in Florida, previously told USA TODAY. At least 15 million adults have some form of COPD, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but Mannino said it could be twice that number, because the condition often goes misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. What causes COPD? The damaged lung tissue associated with COPD is most often caused by long-term exposure to irritants, such as fumes, dust, chemicals or smoke. This is why "cigarette smoke is the main cause of COPD in high-income countries like the United States," Mannino said. "However, not everyone who smokes will develop COPD symptoms, and not all people with COPD have a history of smoking." Indeed, some 25% of people with COPD have never smoked a cigarette. COPD can be debilitating. What exactly is it? "Exposure to outdoor pollution or indoor cooking smoke and fumes is a major cause of COPD," said Aaron, especially in developing countries. He added that some people also develop the condition because of poor early lung development related to premature birth. Genetic factors, early-life respiratory infections and a history of asthma "can all also contribute to the development of COPD," Han said. How is COPD treated? Regardless of what's causing the condition, COPD is treatable. "The mainstays of therapy have historically been inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled steroids," according to Han. Such medications can reduce breathlessness, improve stamina and lower one's risk of flare-ups, Mannino said. He added that non-pharmacologic therapies are also helpful in reducing symptoms and risk of flare-ups. "These include participating in pulmonary rehabilitation, using oxygen therapy as prescribed and adhering to vaccination guidelines," he said. And you can't overemphasize the importance of quitting smoking, added Aaron. "By adhering to medication recommendations, avoiding infection and irritating fumes, eating foods that support lung health and strengthening lung tissue by getting plenty of cardiovascular activity," said Mannino, "individuals with COPD can maintain a good quality of life." Contributing: Daryl Austin and Marco della Cava

Arizona lawmakers are creating a dangerous double standard with military tobacco exemption
Arizona lawmakers are creating a dangerous double standard with military tobacco exemption

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Arizona lawmakers are creating a dangerous double standard with military tobacco exemption

Photo by Douglas Sacha | Getty Images Arizona's legislature is poised to pass a bill that could endanger the very individuals we seek to honor, and ironically, those who keep us safe. Senate Bill 1247 aims to raise the legal age for purchasing and possessing tobacco products from 18 to 21, aligning state law with federal regulations. However, a carve-out in the bill introduces a troubling exception: Active-duty military personnel, including members of the National Guard and reserves, would still be permitted to buy and use tobacco products at 18. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Supporters of this carve-out argue that, if young adults are old enough to fight and die for their country, they should be allowed to make their own choices about tobacco use. While this point of view may appear respectful, it inadvertently creates a two-tiered system of health protection, suggesting that the health of our young service members is less valuable than that of other Arizona citizens. By allowing young military personnel to access tobacco products, we are not honoring their service but rather exposing them to substances that could lead to lifelong addiction and serious health issues. This exception undermines the very purpose of SB1247, which is to conform the state minimum legal age (18) to buy or possess a tobacco product to the federal minimum legal age (21). Furthermore, this policy sends a conflicting message. While we restrict tobacco use among Arizona citizens to promote public health, we permit it among our troops, suggesting their well-being is a secondary concern. This is not only illogical but also deeply disrespectful to those who serve. The dangers of tobacco use for young people are well-documented. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 9 out of 10 adults who smoke cigarettes daily first tried smoking by age 18. The National Cancer Institute states that cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States, as smoking causes cancers of all the following: lung, esophagus, larynx (voice box), mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, liver, pancreas, stomach, cervix, colon and rectum, as well as acute myeloid leukemia. As a personal injury attorney, I've seen firsthand the devastating effects of tobacco-related illnesses. Our laws must reflect a commitment to the health and safety of all citizens, especially those who have dedicated themselves to protecting our nation. Let's truly honor our service members by ensuring they receive the same health protections as everyone else. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

RFK Jr. fires entire CDC vaccine advisory panel
RFK Jr. fires entire CDC vaccine advisory panel

USA Today

time2 hours ago

  • USA Today

RFK Jr. fires entire CDC vaccine advisory panel

RFK Jr. fires entire CDC vaccine advisory panel Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ousted all 17 members of a panel that advises the CDC on the safety, efficacy and clinical needs of vaccines Show Caption Hide Caption RFK Jr. says COVID-19 vaccine no longer recommended for some The COVID-19 vaccine is no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fired all 17 members of a committee that advises the federal government on vaccine safety and will replace them with new members, the Department of Health and Human Services announced on June 9. At issue is the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, which makes recommendations on the safety, efficacy, and clinical need of vaccines to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It comprises medical and public health experts who develop recommendations on the use of vaccines in the civilian population of the United States. 'Today we are prioritizing the restoration of public trust above any specific pro- or anti-vaccine agenda,' said Kennedy Jr., who has a history of controversial views on vaccines. 'The public must know that unbiased science—evaluated through a transparent process and insulated from conflicts of interest—guides the recommendations of our health agencies.' Kennedy Jr.'s decision marks a reversal from what a key Republican senator said the Trump Cabinet member had promised during his confirmation hearings earlier this year. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, the chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, said Kennedy had promised to maintain the committee's current composition. "If confirmed, he will maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices without changes," Cassidy said. The Biden administration appointed all 17 sitting committee members, with 13 of them taking their seats in 2024. According to Trump's HHS, those appointments would have prevented the current administration from choosing a majority of the committee until 2028. 'A clean sweep is necessary to reestablish public confidence in vaccine science,' said Kennedy, adding that the new members "will prioritize public health and evidence-based medicine". and "no longer function as a rubber stamp for industry profit-taking agendas."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store