Overview

• Arkansas and Indiana have formally submitted waiver requests to the USDA to ban soda, candy, and other unhealthy items from being purchased with SNAP benefits.
• The proposals aim to address public health concerns, with Arkansas citing high rates of diabetes and Medicaid costs tied to chronic diseases.
• USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has indicated a swift approval process for these waivers, marking a shift from past USDA rejections of similar restrictions.
• Critics, including anti-hunger groups, argue that the restrictions are paternalistic and lack evidence of improving health outcomes for SNAP participants.
• Additional measures in Indiana include new work requirements and income verification rules for SNAP recipients, as part of broader reforms under the Make America Healthy Again initiative.