Republicans on the Iowa House Health and Human Services Committee have voted to limit what Iowans using government SNAP benefits may buy.
The bill originally had a permitted list of groceries like “real” eggs, meat and milk as well as bread and pasta and peanut butter and nuts. Republican Representative Carter Nordman of Adel has proposed adjusting the bill, to limit SNAP purchases to “healthy foods.”
“One in six children in Iowa are considered obese…Obesity-related diseases often affect low income individuals at a much higher rate,” he said. “This bill incentivizes better eating habits.”
The bill would provide an additional $1 million to the state’s “Double Up Food Bucks” program that helps reduce the price of fresh fruit and vegetable purchases made with SNAP benefits.
Democrats on the committee voted against the bill. Representative Tracy Ehlert of Cedar Rapids says as a single mom, she relied on SNAP benefits to feed her children while she was getting a college degree.
“I can’t imagine having to try to work around the parameters that are in this bill,” Ehlert said, “the potential embarassment at the check out counter…There’s not really a workaround yet on how this is going to work and how those who are ringing up those purchases are going to know what is and is not approved.”
If the bill becomes law, state officials would have to get a federal waiver to implement changes in what SNAP benefits may purchase.