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American Heart Asso sends rep to oppose Texas bill to eliminate junk food from SNAP

Posted on 3/17/25 at 1:59 pm
Posted by Turnblad85
Member since Sep 2022
3285 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 1:59 pm
Not any major outlets covering this so I had to find what I could.:

quote:

On Tuesday, March 11, the Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services held a public hearing on Senate Bill 379. The proposed legislation would prevent SNAP recipients from using their benefits to buy certain junk food items. They include sodas, candy and chips.


“I often say that I can never be surprised in this building, but for the American Heart Association to be against this bill, that might be the surprise of the session so far,” said Kolkhorst.
quote:

Many were surprised when Alec Puente, the AHA’s government relations director, spoke against the bill. Puente testified that the AHA was concerned about the bill’s potential impact on SNAP participation. He also emphasized the importance of educating the public about healthy eating instead of restricting purchases.

“For a bill like this, we would need to be careful that it does not impact overall participation in the SNAP program and that there be adequate education to the public on healthy habits,” Puente said.
StraightArrowNews









I didn't confirm it, but many people are saying that Pepsi and General mills are "forum members of the AHA".

Its wild to me that people/orgs oppose the banning of junk foods bought with taxpayers money....with a straight face.
Posted by bad93ex
Walnut Cove
Member since Sep 2018
31049 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:00 pm to
American Heart Association is worthless
Posted by chryso
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2008
13158 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:01 pm to
The good news is that the guy from the AHA is not the boss of the legislature. They can pass the bill anyway.
Posted by jbgleason
Bailed out of BTR to God's Country
Member since Mar 2012
19569 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:04 pm to
Saw this a week ago but didn't have time to bring it to the OT. TYFYS.

I have railed against the AHA for years. People think they are some quasi governmental non-profit altruistic organization. WRONG. They are making a frick ton of money and are in bed up to their eyeballs with all the wrong players.

They push CPR because it saves lives? WRONG. They push it because they get paid every single time someone gets a CPR card at work. They are a scam all the way. Go to one of their CPR Instructor classes and listen to the "Training Center" coordinators explain how much you can make running these classes but don't forget that you have to kick money to the Training Center who kicks money up to AHA. They are like the mob.

frick them. I am legit shocked they were dumb enough to come out into the spotlight on this deal with the TX legislature though. Not typical for them.
Posted by Turnblad85
Member since Sep 2022
3285 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:07 pm to
quote:

. They can pass the bill anyway.



The final step after passing in Tx is being signed off on by the Dept of Ag.
Posted by Weekend Warrior79
Member since Aug 2014
19305 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:08 pm to
quote:

the AHA was concerned about the bill’s potential impact on SNAP participation. He also emphasized the importance of educating the public about healthy eating instead of restricting purchases.

“For a bill like this, we would need to be careful that it does not impact overall participation in the SNAP program and that there be adequate education to the public on healthy habits,” Puente said.

The logic being that if junk food is not allowed by SNAP, the people eligible would rather just go hungry than chance eating healthier foods?
Posted by Clark14
Earth
Member since Dec 2014
24318 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:10 pm to
quote:

I didn't confirm it, but many people are saying that Pepsi and General mills are "forum members of the AHA".


America!
Posted by GeauxTigers123
Member since Feb 2007
2504 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:12 pm to
It amazes me how min stream media doesn’t touch stuff that doesn’t benefit their agenda.
Posted by Turnblad85
Member since Sep 2022
3285 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:13 pm to
quote:

I have railed against the AHA for years.



Tbh, up until today I thought they were decent.

If they don't come out with a full retraction of their opposition to the bill and full endorsement of getting junk food out of snap, they are just what you say they are. Trash. But sounds like the corruption runs too deep and they just need to be dissolved.
Posted by POTUS2024
Member since Nov 2022
20943 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:30 pm to
SNAP or no SNAP, restrictions or not, people are going to get their carbs. Compare buying candy to things like applesauce. Both sweet. Both with tons of carbs. Applesauce is cheaper. Orange juice ranges from about 110 to 180 calories in a cup. Coca Cola is 140.

If you want to restrict purchases you'll have to increase benefits. Go look at the price of steak and chicken. Even ground beef is expensive. If you have some ground beef and vegetables, I bet you're close to your daily dollar amount on SNAP. That's just one meal.

Restrictions on soda don't make much sense, unless you are allowing zero sugar soda.
Posted by notiger1997
Metairie
Member since May 2009
60891 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:35 pm to
quote:

POTUS2024


You are special
Posted by NIH
Member since Aug 2008
117349 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:37 pm to
How fat are you, son
Posted by Thracken13
Aft Cargo Hold of Serenity
Member since Feb 2010
18208 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:37 pm to
well if everyone got healthy, there would be no real need for the AHA - so for them, it is in their best interest to oppose stuff that would likely lead to them being obsolete, or severely diminished and not raking in profits
Posted by Btrtigerfan
Disgruntled employee
Member since Dec 2007
22935 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:37 pm to
If it passes they would have more money for crab legs.
Posted by Chucktown_Badger
The banks of the Ashley River
Member since May 2013
34264 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:38 pm to
quote:

The logic being that if junk food is not allowed by SNAP, the people eligible would rather just go hungry than chance eating healthier foods?


That's what I was taking away from it. And I am a little surprised that they showed up with that argument and delivered it with a straight face.
Posted by Bjorn Cyborg
Member since Sep 2016
32212 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:40 pm to
quote:

For a bill like this, we would need to be careful that it does not impact overall participation in the SNAP program


So they are worried people won't participate in a free food program because of this?

Good. If they aren't hungry, they don't need to participate. The government shouldn't be in the business of having to "sell" its programs anyway.
Posted by facher08
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2011
5199 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:43 pm to
quote:

He also emphasized the importance of educating the public about healthy eating instead of restricting purchases.


Posted by YumYum Sauce
Arkansas
Member since Nov 2010
9021 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:43 pm to
quote:

SNAP or no SNAP, restrictions or not, people are going to get their carbs. Compare buying candy to things like applesauce. Both sweet. Both with tons of carbs. Applesauce is cheaper. Orange juice ranges from about 110 to 180 calories in a cup. Coca Cola is 140.


This is right up there with arguing that one illegal drug is less harmful than another

You don't NOT make changes to something because it doesn't automatically fix a problem.

The goal here is to makes kids less fat, not cure diabetes in one bill.
Posted by Jcorye1
Tom Brady = GoAT
Member since Dec 2007
75175 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:48 pm to
quote:

SNAP or no SNAP, restrictions or not, people are going to get their carbs. Compare buying candy to things like applesauce. Both sweet. Both with tons of carbs. Applesauce is cheaper. Orange juice ranges from about 110 to 180 calories in a cup. Coca Cola is 140.

If you want to restrict purchases you'll have to increase benefits. Go look at the price of steak and chicken. Even ground beef is expensive. If you have some ground beef and vegetables, I bet you're close to your daily dollar amount on SNAP. That's just one meal.

Restrictions on soda don't make much sense, unless you are allowing zero sugar soda.


I'm not sure how much SNAP runs, and I don't feel like doing the research, but the people I've seen using SNAP mostly look like 34 defensive tackles, so I'm gonna go ahead and assume they can handle a cut back in overall calories per dollar.
Posted by Masterag
'Round Dallas
Member since Sep 2014
19577 posts
Posted on 3/17/25 at 2:52 pm to
All Foundations and Associations end up becoming a racket over time, it's inevitable.
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