RFK Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative is taking off, with the new Health and Human Services Secretary launching a controversial plan targeting sugary drinks. Under new rules, states will be allowed to ban the purchase of soda using SNAP benefits – and many states are already signing up for it.
At a glance:
• RFK Jr. granted West Virginia a waiver to ban the use of food stamps for purchasing sugary soft drinks
• The initiative is part of the broader “Make America Healthy Again” movement championed by the Trump administration
• Soft drinks are reportedly the most purchased item with SNAP benefits nationwide
• Kennedy has encouraged other states to apply for similar waivers to restrict unhealthy purchases
• The American Beverage Association opposes the ban, arguing it limits consumer choice
RFK Jr. Takes Aim at Sugary Drinks in Food Stamp Program
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has taken a decisive step to ensure those using SNAP benefits to purchase food can no longer buy poisonous and unhealthy food and drink. During a ceremony in Martinsburg, Kennedy announced a groundbreaking waiver allowing West Virginia to ban the use of federal food assistance dollars to purchase soft drinks.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrissey, who received the waiver, strongly supported the initiative during the announcement. “Taxpayer dollars should be targeted toward nutritious foods,” Governor Morrissey stated, emphasizing his state’s commitment to improving health outcomes for its residents.
Bureaucratic Tensions and Industry Pushback
The policy change has reportedly created tension within the federal government as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is traditionally managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, not HHS. Sources indicate that USDA officials have expressed frustration with Kennedy’s involvement in SNAP-related issues.
One USDA staffer revealed the discord saying, “Rollins and Kennedy, they’ve both talked about this issue. However, HHS is flying solo. It just doesn’t help to find a joint pathway forward.”
Despite reports of internal conflict, both HHS and USDA have publicly denied any disagreement on the matter. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has actually expressed support for limiting sugary drink purchases with federal aid during a private meeting with MAGA influencers.
Rollins highlighted the concerning reality about food assistance spending patterns. “The top item that food stamps support through taxpayer dollars: Sugary drinks, to a group of children that come from a lower socioeconomic ladder that are in many ways from very impoverished families. And yet, that’s the number one thing our food stamp program is buying.”
Health Initiative Faces Industry Opposition
The American Beverage Association has voiced strong opposition to the ban – obviously, given how many billions of dollars they stand to lose – arguing it limits consumer choice and represents government overreach. The soda industry stands to lose significant revenue if multiple states follow West Virginia’s lead in restricting SNAP purchases.
Kennedy has been unequivocal about his position on government subsidization of unhealthy products. “We shouldn’t be subsidizing them. They’re the ones with the worst chronic disease burden, and we are literally poisoning those neighborhoods,” Kennedy stated, referring to the impact of sugary drinks on low-income communities.
Once upon a time, the Democrats pretended to care about the health of Americans. What happened to them?
