SNAP is the acronym for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program formerly known as Food Stamps. A 2016 USDA study revealed that 20% of every SNAP dollar was spent on items including sweetened beverages, desserts, salty snacks, candy, and sugar which are inarguably not nutritious. The most frequently purchased item using SNAP is soft drinks. Given that Iowa ranks 11th in the nation for adult obesity, a condition linked to several chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers, it is clear that these spending habits do not contribute to good health or the rising costs of Medicaid.
This week, the Iowa House passed HF970, a bill designed to refocus SNAP benefits towards healthier, more nutritious food. To take effect, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services will need a waiver from the federal government.
The bill does not prevent individuals from purchasing items like Monster Energy drinks, Cheetos and bon bons with their own funds, but it would not allow those items to be purchased with taxpayer funded SNAP. This modest but important shift sets reasonable boundaries for SNAP spending, aligning the program more closely with its original purpose: alleviating hunger and improving health.
In addition, the bill allocates $1 million to the Double Up Food Bucks program, which aims to enhance access to fresh fruits and vegetables for those who depend on SNAP benefits, once the federal waiver is approved.
By refocusing SNAP benefits on nutritious foods, HF970 not only helps combat obesity in Iowa but also aligns the program with its intended goal of improving the overall health of our communities. It will benefit both taxpayers and those who rely on SNAP for support. It passed 56-40
