Speaking at an event in West Virginia, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. today announced that the Trump administration will start allowing states to prevent individuals from purchasing soda with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
According to The New York Times, during the event, Kennedy told states to submit waivers to his department, although he does not have jurisdiction over SNAP. However, the Times also reported that Calley Means, a White House advisor, said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who does have SNAP jurisdiction, agreed to grant the waivers that states need to make the change. Rollins had previously indicated she was open to granting the waivers.
Restrictions on soda in SNAP have been at the center of heated debate for years. Proponents say they’re common sense and will improve Americans’ health. Opponents say there’s no evidence that will happen and that low-income Americans deserve to make their own choices. (Link to this post.)
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