Recent discussions surrounding the “Make America Healthy Again” concept have reignited proposals to impose restrictions on the types of food available for purchase through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These proposals fail to recognize that the real solution to improving the health of those living in America lies not in further restricting SNAP, but in addressing the systemic factors that affect health in the U.S. — particularly those contributing to food insecurity and poor health outcomes.
At first, House Republicans announced they were seeking $50 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next 10 years, which alone would be devastating to the people and families who participate in SNAP. Now, they have increased that target to cut $150 billion at a time when hunger and grocery prices are increasing. They are putting this plan together now and may have something in the next few weeks. It is critical that we reach out now to push back against all cuts to SNAP.
In a move that threatens to undo significant strides made toward racial and social equity, President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order titled Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing. Among other actions, this order calls for the removal of equity action plans across federal agencies, specifically targeting former Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. Trump’s order criticizes these diversity, equity, and inclusion plans, labeling them as “immense public waste and shameful discrimination.” However, the reality of these efforts is far from what the executive order suggests.