Resolution to “Make America Healthy Again”

Task Forces: American City County Exchange

Issue Areas: Health

Draft Disclaimer

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Summary

This model supports the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative by strengthening the nutritional focus of SNAP, encouraging the purchase of healthy, American-grown foods while discouraging the use of taxpayer-funded benefits for sugary drinks and unhealthy snacks.

Model Resolution

WHEREAS, [Insert State] supports policies that promote fiscal responsibility, strengthen American agriculture, and improve nutrition for families; and


WHEREAS, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was created to reduce food insecurity—not to encourage sugary-sweetened beverages or other unhealthy snacks that are counterproductive to public health and can contribute to increased rates of diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, as shown in numerous studies by public-health and nutrition organizations; and


WHEREAS, strengthening the nutritional quality of SNAP aligns with longstanding recommendations from nutrition researchers, agricultural groups, and public-health experts who emphasize nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, proteins, and dairy—many of which are grown or produced by American farmers; and


WHEREAS, prioritizing healthy, American-grown foods in federal nutrition programs supports domestic agriculture, boosts farm economies, and ensures taxpayer dollars are invested in ways that benefit both families and rural communities; and


WHEREAS, promoting healthier food choices should not be misinterpreted as supporting new taxes, surcharges, special labeling requirements, or punitive measures targeting specific consumer products or industries; and


WHEREAS, under the Trump Administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda, which prioritizes prevention and reducing chronic disease through improved diet and public health measures, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins have publicly supported and approved pending state-waiver actions to exclude sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), candy, and related products from SNAP usage beginning next year; and


WHEREAS, maintaining the integrity of SNAP requires continued efforts to reduce waste, fraud, trafficking, and improper payments to ensure the program remains sustainable for those who truly rely on it; and


NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that [Insert State] supports “Make America Healthy Again” initiatives that strengthen the nutritional focus of SNAP by prioritizing healthy, American grown foods and ensuring families have access to nutritious options; and


BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that [Insert State] supports policy reforms that:

  • (a) Encourages state and local governments to coordinate with HHS, USDA, public health agencies, nutrition organizations, retailers, and community stakeholders in designing waiver proposals so as to (a) minimize administrative burden, (b) maintain dignity and choice for beneficiaries, and (c) ensure clear product categorization at point of sale; and
  • (b) Encourage or incentivize the purchase of nutrient-dense foods grown or produced by American farmers;
  • (c) Discourage the use of taxpayer-funded benefits for sugary drinks and unhealthy snacks through public-health education, without endorsing new taxes or unfair product labeling;
  • (d) Maintain recipient dignity and minimize administrative burden for program operators and retailers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that [Insert State] urges federal and state partners to continue strengthening program integrity by reducing waste, fraud, and abuse; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that [Insert State] supports ongoing evaluation of nutrition-related policy changes in SNAP to measure improvements in health outcomes, long-term cost savings, and benefits to American agriculture.