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States in the Rust Belt, Appalachia and the Deep South First to Reform SNAP

If I'd had to guess which states would lead the charge to stop SNAP benefits (taxpayer funded supplemental nutrition assistance program) from being used to buy candy and soda, I'd have guessed states with a culture of health and fitness: Hawaii, California and Colorado. California in particular likes regulation. 

Photo from Pixabay.

But West Virginia, Arkansas and Indiana--three of the unhealthiest states in America--came out of nowhere to reform their states' SNAP benefits. West Virginia's governor was first out of the gate when he requested a waiver to restrict sodas in March, and today, the governors of Arkansas and Indiana requested waivers for not only soda but candy. "Taxpayers should not be subsidizing poor health on the front end and paying for it on the back end with skyrocketing healthcare costs and federal debt," said Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas. Gov. Mike Braun of Indiana said, "More SNAP money is spent on sugary drinks and candy than on fruits and vegetables. That changes TODAY!"

All three states have beefed up work requirements for SNAP eligibility. 

Critics complain that states shouldn't act like nannies. But if you can't feed yourself and you spend more on soda and candy than produce, maybe you need a nanny.

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