Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval  Watch |  Listen

Lawmakers consider taking soda pop off SNAP purchase list

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Limits could be put on how food stamps are spent in West Virginia with a bill that’s pending at the State Capitol.

Sen. Ron Stollings (D-Boone, 7) said the proposal would allow West Virginia to apply for a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to prevent food stamps, now called SNAP benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, from being used for purchases of soda pop and other sugary drinks.

“We’re taking a bite of the apple here by not being able to buy pop, Mello Yello, things like that,” said Stollings.  “This could have a behavior changing and, I think, a positive health outcome.”

Stollings, who is a doctor, said such a step would make sense in West Virginia for health and financial reasons.

“We have an oral health problem and we have an obesity problem,” he said.  “Basically, we’re paying for this twice.  Federal tax dollars pay for pop (through SNAP) and that causes us to be overweight and have poor dentition and then Medicaid costs then follow obesity.”

Up to now, the USDA has approved no such waivers for SNAP in other states, but Stollings said he thinks West Virginia could serve as a good pilot project location, especially with an effort that is narrowly focused on limiting sugary drink purchases.

Stollings is the chairman of the Senate Health and Human Resources which has not yet addressed SB 262.

The 2014 Regular Legislative Session continues through Saturday, March 8.





More News

News
Governor signs bill phasing out state taxes on Social Security and receives praise
The phase-out would mean a 35% cut retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024; 65% in 2025 and 100% in 2026.
March 28, 2024 - 11:46 am
News
West Virginia Parkways Authority prepares for Easter travelers on the Turnpike
More than 500,000 transactions are projected at the West Virginia Turnpike through Monday.
March 28, 2024 - 11:30 am
News
Governor vetoes vaccination exemption bill, and now that debate is primed to get even bigger
House Bill 5105 would have removed vaccination requirements for students in virtual public schools, and it also would have allowed private and parochial schools to set their own standards.
March 28, 2024 - 11:14 am
News
Lottery reports $50,000 Powerball ticket sold in Charleston
Four numbers and Power Ball matched.
March 28, 2024 - 10:24 am


Your Comments