Legislators ask for improved food stamp rules
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We all believe in helping people that need help. But taxpayers should not pay for items that harm a person’s health, especially when the same taxpayer is responsible for the medical needs of that individual. Besides, Montana should administer its own food stamp program.
Last Friday, the following letter was sent to the members of one of our interim committees. Let me know what you think.
To members of the Children, Families, Health and Human Services Interim Committee:
e, the undersigned, request that you direct the Department of Public Health and Human Services to prepare a waiver request to the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, for the purpose of reforming the food stamps program, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Store receipts show that SNAP food stamps buys Pearson’s Salted Nut Rolls, Pepsi, Red Vines, Frappuccino, Pecan Sandies, Gatorade, Bubble Yum, Rockstar Recovery, Five Rain gum, Hubba Bubba, Monster Java, Sobi Fruit Punch, Fudge Brownies, Pringles, Papa Murphy’s Pizza, Snickers, Peanut M&Ms, Dreyer’s Ice Cream, King Henry Taffy, Wilcoxson’s Sherbet, Mountain Dew, Ginger Snaps, Martinelli Juice, Milk Duds, Whoppers, Starbucks Mocha, Coke and Pop-Tarts. Some stores’ receipts show more than 57 percent of purchases are for items high in salt, fat, cholesterol and sugar, some stores’ less. Convenience stores represent 15 percent of the food stamp purchases. Most items purchased there would not be as healthful as oatmeal and canned tuna. Taken in total, it’s entirely possible that over half of the products purchased with food stamps are deleterious.
We request that participating Montana SNAP retailers be directed to disallow the purchase of items high in high fructose corn syrup, cholesterol, sodium and fat. Soda pop, energy drinks, chips, cakes, ice cream, take-and-bake pizza, donuts, snacks, gum and candy should be disallowed, among other things. A new allowed food list should be prepared based on the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) list. Foods to be added to this list should be high in nutritive value, thus fulfilling the USDA’s nutrition claim. Staples such as bread, rice, lean meats, pasta products, canned fruits, vegetables and soups, potatoes, beans and baking products should be emphasized. The WIC list already includes fresh fruits, vegetables, healthful beverages and dairy products.
The benefits of this change include health gains for recipients and substantial savings for taxpayers, both in direct savings and in lowered Medicaid costs.
e request DPHHS to provide an acceptable timeline for the completion and submittal of this waiver request.
Signed by Representatives Tom Burnett, Janna Taylor, Dan Salomon, Wayne Stahl, Jonathan McNiven, Pat Ingraham, Tom McGillvray, Ken Peterson, Jeff Wellborn, Cary Smith, Jerry O’Neil, Bob Wagner, James Knox, Dan Skattum, Wendy Warburton, David Howard, Jerry Bennett, Jesse O’Hara, Christy Clark, Kris Hansen, Champ Edmunds, Krayton Kerns, Ron Ehli, Mark Blasdel, Doug Kary, Austin Knudsen, Kelly Flynn, Walt McNutt, John Esp, Pat Connell, Matt Rosendale, Cleve Loney and Mike Cuffe; and Senators Debby Barrett, Ed Walker, Ryan Zinke and Bob Lake.
Call me at 849-6096 or 253-8766. My e-mail is jannataylor@montana.com, and my webpage is jannataylor.com. I never forget that I work for you.
