GOP bill would ban using food stamps on junk food
Category of problem: SNAP Government Assistance Program
Level of problem: National
Article is concerning: a potential policy that is being
considered to help a problem/issue that individuals/families face. House
Republicans will cut SNAP benefits by 4 billion dollars.
Why is it important or how does it affect
individuals/families? This particular government assistance program helps many
families across the U.S. afford food that they typically wouldn’t be able to
purchase. At the same time, some participants abuse the program.
My views on the issue/policy: I honestly feel that this
policy is on the right track BUT some changes should be made. Cutting the
budget a drastic $4 billion dollars really cuts the cost for those who may fall
back into poverty. Roe’s bill would require the same restrictions as the WIC
program in which I don’t think families would completely benefit from. WIC is
extremely limited to what brands and flavors as well as what type of product of
food item that a person can buy. I think they are on the right track with reinstating
new regulations towards the SNAP program but not to fit the same as WIC or
limit those who may come into poverty. Though poverty is only getting worse in
this country and most are children, families DO abuse the system and buy soda,
candy, chips, and processed foods then complain that they are not healthy or a
child falls ill. They are ruining the means of help for all the others out
there that are trying to feed their children fruits, vegetables, and whole
grains and live a healthy lifestyle. With
the set amount that a family gets each month, they should be able to plan out
healthy meals a couple times a day. Everyone deserves a sweet treat every now
and then, but when government money is involved to help feed a family, the most
nutritious foods should be first priority. It will also be an educational tool with
the fact that these people may not know about what is nutritious versus what isn’t.
Setting standards isn’t going to hurt anyone, in fact, it will help them to eat
better and take better care of themselves if they have a guideline to follow.
The fact that this bill is addressing the poor food choices within the SNAP program is definitely a turn in the right direction for helping public health, especially with lower income families. But, I definitely agree with you that cutting the budget is very drastic. I think along with having the junk food restrictions, there should be some sort of nutritional education provided. Perhaps directly mailing them a brochure or newsletter with healthy recipes they can afford with the program, or a monthly newsletter with tips. They can even go as far as maybe requiring a minimum number of vegetables and fruit purchased. Granted, I know that some people just do not even care about nutrition and will keep on buying the awful food, but perhaps something along these lines will increase the health and wellness of those families.
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