Children’s HealthWatch has released a statement titled, Pediatric Health Professionals from around the Country Know SNAP is Good Medicine, affirming our support for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) given the strong scientific evidence showing the importance of SNAP for children’s health and development. As the Senate and House work on Farm Bill legislation that will determine the funding and structure of the SNAP program for the next five years, Children’s HealthWatch urges Congress to protect and strengthen SNAP.
Pediatric Health Professionals from around the Country Know SNAP is Good Medicine
Primo non no cere – First Do No Harm has been the bedrock principle for physicians since ancient times. As health professionals we are appalled by the great harm that may be done to the health and learning ability of America’s children (as well as the health and economic potential of adults) by current legislative proposals to limit the availability of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as food stamps) and to decrease the level of benefits to ongoing recipients. SNAP must not only be protected but strengthened, including increasing the benefit level. SNAP helps prevent and treat an invisible, insidious, and increasing risk to our nation’s health – food insecurity.