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Started By
Message
My idea for a different approach to food stamps and obesity
Posted on 3/13/14 at 11:04 am
Posted on 3/13/14 at 11:04 am
If the Obama admin or any admin was serious about fighting the obesity epidemic especially the childhood obesity epidemic why do they continue the same failed policies and just throw money down the toilet?
I would love to see the data on the HIP program to see if ppl lost any weight or got healthier.
This would be my idea. Issue a card to all EBT, SNAP, and food stamp recipients that tracks what they buy (similar to a reward card). Then the gov rewards those who buy healthy food and punishes (lows funding or cuts it off completely) for those who buy unhealthy food. I also wouldn't be opposed to buying gym memberships for those that are overweight and out of shape. The gov could track attendance at the gym by the same card and if they don't use it take it away. The gov since most food stamp recipients will eventually be on medicaid or obamacare could track their health by making them get a physical every 6 months or so. If there is improvement send them a small bonus check, if not cancel the gym membership and start cutting the food stamp money to that person.
Thought?
TL DR
quote:LINK
The study found that SNAP beneficiaries ate significantly more refined grains — at least one extra serving per day — compared to poor Americans without food stamps. These are the types of grains that tend to have unhealthy types of carbohydrates and can be risk factors for diabetes and obesity. Fruit, vegetable, and whole grain consumption was low across the board.
quote:
Policy experiments both in the U.S. and internationally have shown this to be an effective incentive system. For instance, a South African program that gave 260,000 households up to a 25 percent rebate on healthy food purchases led beneficiaries to eat about one-half more servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Rebate recipients were also more likely to eat three or more servings of wholegrain foods per day and less likely to eat foods high in sugar, salt, fried foods, processed meats, and fast food. And a domestic experiment launched in 2011, the U.S. Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), gave SNAP recipients a similar 30 percent discount on healthy food. HIP participants ended up eating 25 percent more vegetables with their benefits, and a staggering 95 percent of beneficiaries said they wanted to program to continue.
I would love to see the data on the HIP program to see if ppl lost any weight or got healthier.
This would be my idea. Issue a card to all EBT, SNAP, and food stamp recipients that tracks what they buy (similar to a reward card). Then the gov rewards those who buy healthy food and punishes (lows funding or cuts it off completely) for those who buy unhealthy food. I also wouldn't be opposed to buying gym memberships for those that are overweight and out of shape. The gov could track attendance at the gym by the same card and if they don't use it take it away. The gov since most food stamp recipients will eventually be on medicaid or obamacare could track their health by making them get a physical every 6 months or so. If there is improvement send them a small bonus check, if not cancel the gym membership and start cutting the food stamp money to that person.
Thought?
TL DR
13
Posted on 3/13/14 at 11:09 am to willthezombie
Although that is very well thought out and it would be ALOT better and than the current system, I believe the government should be less involved in our lives, not more. With that being said, all of these assistance programs should be ALOT harder on eligibility and should all come with a maximum time period before the person is booted. Im so tired of people sucking at the teet of the U.S. taxpayer.
This post was edited on 3/13/14 at 11:11 am
Posted on 3/13/14 at 11:14 am to willthezombie
Meh, if people are hungry, give them food. Don't give them debit cards.
It seems to me that there are all sorts of programs in the Farm Bill that produce tons of 'surplus' food. There should be gov't food distribution centers where hungry people can go and get staples: Beans, rice, cheese, milk, flour, sugar, etc..., with farmer's markets and grocers able to write off 'sub-standard' produce they contribute. In order to receive your gov't food, you have to show up with your voucher. Vouchers should be too large to fit in a pocket or purse, and weigh 5 lbs. That way everyone can see that are on your way to get gov't assistance. The incentives to get off of gov't assistance should be that, first, you get sick of eating beans, and second, you are embarrassed to be seen carrying around your voucher.
It seems to me that there are all sorts of programs in the Farm Bill that produce tons of 'surplus' food. There should be gov't food distribution centers where hungry people can go and get staples: Beans, rice, cheese, milk, flour, sugar, etc..., with farmer's markets and grocers able to write off 'sub-standard' produce they contribute. In order to receive your gov't food, you have to show up with your voucher. Vouchers should be too large to fit in a pocket or purse, and weigh 5 lbs. That way everyone can see that are on your way to get gov't assistance. The incentives to get off of gov't assistance should be that, first, you get sick of eating beans, and second, you are embarrassed to be seen carrying around your voucher.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 11:16 am to dnm3305
quote:
With that being said, all of these assistance programs should be ALOT harder on eligibility and should all come with a maximum time period before the person is booted.
Oh yeah, in ideal world that would be part of an overall assistance program reform. I would also have the DOJ or the states AG's prosecute the abusers and fraud (i.e grocery store ringing up oreos as apples so the gov will pay for it).
quote:
I believe the government should be less involved in our lives, not more.
absolutely. This is jsut for the food stampers (which you see a shat load obesity among). If you have the means to pay for your healthcare costs, and junk food go right ahead, but if you are on the system I don't want to pay for your fat kid's oreos.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 11:18 am to WildTchoupitoulas
quote:
you are embarrassed to be seen carrying around your voucher
If people don't get personally embarrassed by having them, I don't think that showing them off to the public would do much good. I completely agree with the thought process though.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 11:22 am to stevengtiger
The answer is for the gov't to use some abandoned buildings and pass out food. These people should have to get their arse out of bed and off the couch and at least make an effort to walk to the food distribution center. Zero debit cards. Give them a gallon of milk, a big bag of rice, some flour, cooking oil, beans, water, and a couple packs of meat for the week. They can come back the following Monday for the same thing.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 11:25 am to stevengtiger
quote:
If people don't get personally embarrassed by having them,
I thought the whole idea behind the debit cards was to protect the 'dignity' of the users so they can't be identified as being welfare recipients.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that there was a whole liberal movement to protect welfare recipients from being exposed to public ridicule/scrutiny.
I wasn't serious about the 5lb voucher, but I am about the sentiment of making it somewhat public who receives welfare.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 11:26 am to WildTchoupitoulas
quote:
Meh, if people are hungry, give them food. Don't give them debit cards.
you know how I know you are old. Just kidding
quote:
It seems to me that there are all sorts of programs in the Farm Bill that produce tons of 'surplus' food. There should be gov't food distribution centers where hungry people can go and get staples: Beans, rice, cheese, milk, flour, sugar, etc..., with farmer's markets and grocers able to write off 'sub-standard' produce they contribute. In order to receive your gov't food, you have to show up with your voucher. Vouchers should be too large to fit in a pocket or purse, and weigh 5 lbs. That way everyone can see that are on your way to get gov't assistance. The incentives to get off of gov't assistance should be that, first, you get sick of eating beans, and second, you are embarrassed to be seen carrying around your voucher
Well I was trying to be realistic. One of the major problems the libs keep throwing around is that it is too hard and expensive to get healthy food. Which I grew up in a north la parish that is 45 min from the nearest walmart and the local grocery store is way expensive. So having them go to a distribution center would be too much of a pain in the a$$.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 11:38 am to Tim
quote:
The answer is for the gov't to use some abandoned buildings and pass out food. These people should have to get their arse out of bed and off the couch and at least make an effort to walk to the food distribution center. Zero debit cards. Give them a gallon of milk, a big bag of rice, some flour, cooking oil, beans, water, and a couple packs of meat for the week. They can come back the following Monday for the same thing.
agreed, but I was trying to come up with a plan that would actually pass. There is already the HIP test program. Throw in my ideas about tracking the purchases then reward or punish accordingly.
Also when has the fed gov ever run a well organized program?
In an ideal world food stamp program should be alot like UN food aid you get the basics that is it.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 11:42 am to WildTchoupitoulas
quote:
if people are hungry, give them food. Don't give them debit cards.
I agree 100% with you here. There are too many ways to abuse the system. Give them food so they do not get to pick and choose what they purchase. There is a point to letting people remain uncomfortable to a certain degree...discomfort tends to promote change.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 11:44 am to willthezombie
Disagree with the gym membership idea. That would cause an increase in current membership rates. Simple supply and demand.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 11:46 am to willthezombie
Stop subsidizing the food industry so they can make fake food that leads to obesity.
Stop blaming Obama or any political party.
Stop allowing grocery stores to be filled with fake food.
Stop blaming Obama or any political party.
Stop allowing grocery stores to be filled with fake food.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 11:51 am to willthezombie
Stop calling the welfare mom's Bossy and they will succeed
Posted on 3/13/14 at 11:59 am to dnm3305
quote:I disagree with that. Yes, the government should stay out of our lives as much as possible. But IF you are using taxpayer dollars, the government SHOULD be watchful and set strict limits. They owe it to the taxpayers.
I believe the government should be less involved in our lives, not more.
This post was edited on 3/13/14 at 12:03 pm
Posted on 3/13/14 at 12:02 pm to willthezombie
I like it. Nice work.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 12:03 pm to willthezombie
quote:
Then the gov rewards those who buy healthy food and punishes (lows funding or cuts it off completely) for those who buy unhealthy food. I also wouldn't be opposed to buying gym memberships for those that are overweight and out of shape. The gov could track attendance at the gym by the same card and if they don't use it take it away.
These ideas are easy to circumvent. The fat momma goes and buys 20 bucks worth of veggies. Sells it to a guy who likes veggies for 10 bucks. Uses the 10 bucks to buy Malt Liquor.
The gym thing is also circumvented. People who have a 'bad back' and go on disability have to report to a gym for rehab. They come into my gym, swipe their ID card and then walk out to go fishing.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 12:05 pm to PrimeTime Money
quote:
I disagree with that. Yes, the government should stay out of our lives as much as possible. But IF you are using taxpayer dollars, the government SHOULD be watchful and setting strict limits. They owe it to the taxpayers.
Exactly. If you're not paying taxes and living off of government cheese, then in my opinion you shouldn't have the right to vote. You are employed, but guess whose your employer: me and every other tax paying citizen in this country. Since I'm now paying for you, you have to do what The other tax payers say.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 12:07 pm to Zach
quote:
These ideas are easy to circumvent. The fat momma goes and buys 20 bucks worth of veggies. Sells it to a guy who likes veggies for 10 bucks. Uses the 10 bucks to buy Malt Liquor.
The gym thing is also circumvented. People who have a 'bad back' and go on disability have to report to a gym for rehab. They come into my gym, swipe their ID card and then walk out to go fishing.
that is why I said in a later post to prosecute the fraud.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 12:08 pm to Zach
quote:That seems highly unlikely that people are going to be able to successfully barter items like carrots in a reasonable amount of time every week.
These ideas are easy to circumvent. The fat momma goes and buys 20 bucks worth of veggies. Sells it to a guy who likes veggies for 10 bucks. Uses the 10 bucks to buy Malt Liquor.
Posted on 3/13/14 at 12:11 pm to willthezombie
quote:
that is why I said in a later post to prosecute the fraud.
That's very hard to do. Recently up here in NW La. we had a food stamp debit glitch at Walmart. The ghetto crowd got on their cell phones and told everyone that stuff is free. During the glitch almost 1,000 of people with food stamp cards stole everything they could carry.
David Vitter demanded that they be prosecuted. They arrested 6. Law enforcement told Vitter that it was just too difficult to find the perps.
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