Townhall – Targeting Families on SNAP Will Increase Costs and Fail to Address Obesity
Congress’ list of legislative “to-dos” this year includes finally addressing the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, a massive legislative package that includes support for millions of low-income families. The 2023 bill has been delayed into this new year. Given the delay and the importance of the law, Congress would be wise to avoid stuffing pet projects into the process.
Some members of Congress, led by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), mistakenly believe that using the Farm Bill to restrict consumers’ grocery choices will fix our nation’s obesity crisis.
The chosen scheme would use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the principal method used to administer aid that helps lower-income families buy food, providing a chance for millions of these families to rise above the poverty level.
Last year, Rubio introduced the Healthy SNAP Act. If enacted, this bill would effectively ban the use of food stamps for the purchase of any soft drink or treat under SNAP. While some are hailing this as a way to curb obesity, it would misplace blame on a handful of products rather than bad habits. And would do so at a considerable cost.
This is certainly not the first time that some have chosen to rely on nanny state provisions. Lawmakers on the political left have long used such measures to go after products they simply don’t like.
Instead of focusing on productive policies that would actually lower obesity rates, lawmakers find it easier to insert the federal government between American consumers and the products they choose.