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.