Latest news with #SupplementalNutritionAssistancePrograms
Axios
2 days ago
- Health
- Axios
Florida bans soda and candy for SNAP users in 2026
Florida is among a few states that have narrowed their list of food eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) this week to exclude sugary snacks and drinks. Why it matters: Starting next year, more than a million families in the state will no longer be able to use their benefits to buy a box of Little Debbie's, a liter of Coca-Cola or a Hershey bar at the checkout. The big picture: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. outlined his "Make America Healthy Again" campaign in April, encouraging states to restrict SNAP purchases to ensure taxpayer dollars go toward "wholesome foods." One study found little difference between purchases made by households with SNAP and those without benefits, with 20 cents of every dollar spent on sweetened beverages, desserts, candy and sugar. How it works: SNAP, often called food stamps, helps low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities buy groceries. Five other states — Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia — were approved to restrict eligible food on Monday. Before these changes, SNAP recipients were already prohibited from using their benefits to purchase alcohol, tobacco, hot and prepared foods and personal care items, according to a press release. Zoom in: Florida amended its statutory definition of food to exclude: Candy, which the state defined as sugar or artificial sweeteners combined with chocolate, fruits, nuts, caramels and gummies. Prepared desserts, which the state defined as processed, pre-packaged sweet foods intended for immediate consumption. Soda, which the state defined as a beverage that is made with carbonated water and flavored with sugar or artificial sweeteners. Energy drinks, which the state defined as a beverage with at least 65 milligrams of caffeine per 8 fluid ounces that are marketed as increasing the consumer's mental and physical energy. Yes, but: Drinks like sparkling water and coffee are still eligible. What they're saying: "In Florida, we are ensuring SNAP supports nutritious options that help families thrive, not unhealthy products that lead to long-term health problems," Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement. "Thank you to President Trump for approving our waiver request." The other side: "Because these products are inexpensive, banning SNAP use on them won't have the desired effect," Christopher Bosso, a political science professor at Northeastern University, wrote in an op-ed for The Hill. "SNAP enrollees simply will use other funds on them," Bosso went on. "After all, SNAP is 'supplemental,' and most enrolled households have cash on hand to spend $3 on that 2-liter bottle of Pepsi if they want one."
American Press
3 days ago
- Health
- American Press
Rollins extends sugary drinks ban to six more states — including Louisiana
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins approved six waivers to exclude sodas and energy drinks from federal nutrition programs on Monday. Rollins signed waivers exempting soda and energy drinks from being included in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs in Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia. The six states join Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Utah and Nebraska in restricting sodas and energy drinks from SNAP. 'Since my confirmation, our department has encouraged states to think differently and creatively about how to solve the many health issues facing Americans,' Rollins said. 'One way is by not allowing taxpayer-funded benefits to be used to purchase unhealthy items like soda, candy and other junk food.' Critics of the new push to ban soda and energy drinks under SNAP say it unfairly targets lower-income families, limits consumer choice and won't result in better health outcomes. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is the first Democrat governor to request a waiver of sugary drinks from the states SNAP program. 'This is not red or blue, Republican or Democrat. We are discussing and working with every state. So (I am) really excited to continue to work with Gov. Polis,' Rollins said. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey joined Rollins for the announcement. Morrisey praised his state's inclusion as part of the SNAP waiver program. He said the lack of access to healthy foods in West Virginia contributes to the prevalence of chronic disease in residents. 'I'm happy now that West Virginia taxpayers are not going to be subsidizing soda and these sugary drinks, things that have no nutritional value and are directly linked to obesity, diabetes, and a lot of other terrible health care outcomes,' Morrisey said. HHS Secretary Kennedy agreed with Morrisey. He said the inclusion of soda and energy drinks in SNAP increases the cost to medicaid and medicare programs due to increased chronic disease. 'U.S. taxpayers should not be paying to feed kids foods – the poorest kids in our country – with foods that are the gift of diabetes. And my agency ends up through Medicaid and Medicare paying for those injuries,' Kennedy said. Kennedy also gave an update on the dietary guidelines for Americans that he is working alongside Rollins to complete. He said the guidelines will be complete in late September, 'three months ahead of schedule.' 'They will drive changes in the school lunch program, in prison lunches and military food, and they will begin to change America almost immediately,' Kennedy said. Not everyone agrees. 'Make no mistake, this waiver won't make an ounce of difference on health,' the trade organization American Beverage said when a waiver was being discussed in Ohio. 'Obesity has skyrocketed in the last two decades while beverage calories per serving have dropped by 42% – thanks to our industry's efforts to empower Americans with more choice and information. In fact, 60% of beverages Americans buy today have zero sugar due to our innovation.' The U.S. government spent $112.8 billion on SNAP in 2023, covering 100% of the cost of food benefits and 50% of states' administrative costs.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
No more soda or candy with food stamps in these states: SNAP rule change explained
Sodas, candy, and junk food will no longer be eligible for food stamps. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, joined by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. signed six new food choice state waivers in this regard. Twelve states have signed the new food choice waivers. Image for representation(Pixabay) It is is part of the Donald Trump government's push towards 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA). The waivers will change the statutory definition of food for purchase for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP). 'It is incredible to see so many states take action at this critical moment in our nation's history and do something to begin to address chronic health problems. President Trump has changed the status quo, and the entire cabinet is taking action to Make America Healthy Again. At USDA, we play a key role in supporting Americans who fall on hard times, and that commitment does not change. Rather, these state waivers promote healthier options for families in need,' Rollins said. Also Read | Trump, Coke and the Sugar Cartel 'For years, SNAP has used taxpayer dollars to fund soda and candy—products that fuel America's diabetes and chronic disease epidemics,' Kennedy noted, adding, 'These waivers help put real food back at the center of the program and empower states to lead the charge in protecting public health. I thank the governors who have stepped up to request waivers, and I encourage others to follow their lead. This is how we Make America Healthy Again.' What does the new SNAP rule mean Earlier SNAP recipients could buy anything with the food stamps except alcohol, tobacco, hot and prepared foods, and personal care products. Rollins, meanwhile, said that 20 percent of SNAP dollars are spent on sugary drinks, salty snacks, pre-packaged desserts, and sugary treats. 'The number one purchase by SNAP recipients is sugary drinks,' she said. Which states signed the SNAP waiver The states which had signed this waiver today are West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. Previously, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah had signed the waivers. This takes the total to 12 states. The new waivers will go into effect in 2026. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, meanwhile, expressed hope that all 50 states would sign the waiver. 'I hope to see all 50 states join this bold commonsense approach. For too long, the root causes of our chronic disease epidemic has been addressed with lip service only. It's time for powerful changes to our nation's SNAP program. The goal is simple—reduce mass suffering from diabetes, obesity, and other long term medical conditions. I applaud the leadership of Secretaries Rollins and Kennedy, and President Trump in going bold,' he said.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Secretary Rollins signs waivers to amend SNAP in Indiana
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins signed waivers to amend the statutory definition of food for purchase for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) in Indiana and Iowa, each commencing in 2026. 'Indiana is proud to be a leader in the Make America Healthy Again initiative, and today Secretary Rollins signed our waiver to return SNAP in Indiana to its intended purpose: nutrition. President Trump and Secretary Rollins are putting our farmers first and supporting American agriculture, and I was proud to join them today,' said Governor Braun. Here's what's in the GOP's 'big, beautiful bill' Officials say prior to these waivers, SNAP recipients could buy anything except alcohol, tobacco, hot foods and personal care products. This action expands the list of products excluded from SNAP purchases in Indiana and Iowa. Indiana's waiver excludes soft drinks and candy, and it will take effect January 1, 2026. According to the USDA, as part of the Make America Healthy Again agenda, this action seeks to reverse disease trends across the country. Prediabetes now affects one in three children ages 12 to 19; 40% of school-aged children and adolescents have at least one chronic condition and 15% of high school students drink one or more sodas daily. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House GOP Makes Official Its Plan For Devastating Cuts To Medicaid
In announcing their intentions to move forward with a mammoth one bill budget plan that will supposedly sweep up key elements of Donald Trump's fiscal agenda, enact tax cuts and raise the debt ceiling, House Republicans have placed themselves on a collision course with not just members of their own conference but also Senate Republicans. But one thing is clear now that has been clear for months: Medicaid, the program that covers health care costs for low-income Americans, is, by design, the main target of the House GOP's federal spending cuts proposal. Here's a breakdown of the key elements of the budget blueprint, which the House Budget Committee released the text of Wednesday: House Republicans want to enact $4.5 trillion worth of tax cuts over the course of the next decade, some of that will include extending Trump's 2017 tax cuts that provided the most benefits to wealthy Americans. They propose $2 trillion in federal spending cuts. Those spending cuts would offset the cost of the tax cuts, but only partially, meaning the entire proposal would actually end up adding trillions to the national deficit, roughly $3 trillion over 10 years, by the New York Times' calculation. That coupled with plans to raise the debt limit by $4 trillion has fiscal hawks in the House howling, Politico reported. Hardliners in the House Freedom Caucus are reportedly pressing for at least another $500 billion in spending cuts to be outlined in the proposal, plus they want to see work requirements (another GOP word for spending cuts) for Medicaid, food aid benefits and at least one other social safety net program made explicit in the resolution. It is not entirely clear where the $2 trillion in cuts will come from, rather the House Budget Committee is proposing that various committees find enough savings to hit fixed spending reduction targets. So while it is not explicitly stated in the House Budget Committee's document, Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs are the programs most directly in the crosshairs. Here's why: The document charges the House Energy and Commerce Committee with finding $880 billion in ten-year savings, more than half of the total cuts outlined in the proposal. It also directs the House Committee on Agriculture to identify another $230 billion in cuts. The Energy and Commerce Committee oversees Medicaid spending and the Ag panel has jurisdiction over SNAP and other nutritional programs. While House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has pushed work requirement rhetoric in recent days when pressed on the nature of potential impending cuts to Medicaid and other social safety net programs, the magnitude of the spending reductions being proposed means cuts to Medicaid will have to extend far beyond Republicans simply imposing work requirements. That language has become a rhetorical catchall for Republicans for months as they sidestep engaging seriously on the political ramifications of cutting programs for low-income Americans to extend tax cuts for the wealthy. Per HuffPost: Republicans could for example try to introduce a 'per capita cap' or some other mechanism that would limit federal spending on the program going forward, effectively ending the open-ended funding commitment Washington now makes to the states. Republicans could also roll back several reforms designed to make enrollment simpler, especially for children. 'Cuts of the magnitude required of the Energy and Commerce Committee leave little doubt that the Budget Resolution sets the stage for deep cuts to Medicaid,' Allison Orris, a senior fellow at the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, told HuffPost. 'This is not a budget that protects Medicaid enrollees.' Republicans have been rhetorically creative about shielding their interest in slashing the social safety net for years. And as TPM has reported, even before the new Congress was sworn in this year, House Republicans made it clear Medicaid was on the chopping block, even as Trump vowed to protect Social Security and Medicare at all costs. In the new budgetary blueprint, they're barely hiding the ball. EXCLUSIVE: Judicial Branch Swept Up In Trump-Musk Lease Termination Spree Ep. 360: 'A Great Deal Of Ruin In A Nation' The Musk-Trump Pact Is Sealed In Bizarre Oval Office Circus Trump Says Some Treasury Notes May Not Be Real The Trump Administration Might Just Spend $400 Million on 'Armored' Teslas This obscure law is one reason Trump's agenda keeps losing in court
