“It’s time for powerful changes”: Controversial Trump-admin decision brings huge changes for millions of Americans
Florida – A big change in policy by the Trump administration will make it much harder for millions of low-income Americans, including many in Florida, to use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently said that a controversial waiver program would be expanded. This program changes the rules for what foods can be bought with SNAP, effectively banning soda, candy, and other processed snacks in some states. Florida is one of the most recent states to join this tide of change.
The announcement on August 4 indicated that the new SNAP limits would start in 2026 in six new states: Florida, West Virginia, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. These are in addition to the six states that were already approved: Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah. The measure will now touch about 8.5 million individuals in all twelve states.
Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, described the move as a necessary step in confronting chronic health problems across the country.
“President Trump has changed the status quo, and the entire cabinet is taking action to Make America Healthy Again. At USDA, we play a key role in supporting Americans who fall on hard times, and that commitment does not change. Rather, these state waivers promote healthier options for families in need,” said Secretary Rollins.
The initiative stems from growing concerns about the public health impacts of diet-related illnesses. The USDA says that these waivers are meant to help people make healthier food choices and keep public money from being spent on things that could cause long-term health problems.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. echoed this sentiment, calling the move long overdue.
“For years, SNAP has used taxpayer dollars to fund soda and candy—products that fuel America’s diabetes and chronic disease epidemics,” said HHS Secretary Kennedy. “These waivers help put real food back at the center of the program and empower states to lead the charge in protecting public health. I thank these governors who have stepped up to request waivers, and I encourage others to follow their lead. This is how we Make America Healthy Again.”
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People who support the program say it is a necessary change in direction to deal with the rising incidence of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related problems in the country. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said that the change is part of a larger effort to deal with chronic diseases in a meaningful way.
“It’s time for powerful changes to our nation’s SNAP program,” he said.
Still, the move is not without controversy. Some people say that limiting food choices could could stigmatize low-income families or make it harder for people in locations with few food options to get affordable calories. Supporters, on the other hand, think that the long-term benefits are greater than the short-term ones, especially if the changes lead to better health outcomes.
As Florida and the other newly authorized states get ready for the launch in 2026, the rest of the country will be watching intently to see if this plan really does benefit public health and if more states will join the list.
