On Monday's episode of WVNN's "The Dale Jackson Show," State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) spoke about a recent personal social media post criticizing the current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
In the post, which drew several critical replies, the lawmaker showed a $55 box of chocolate truffles available for purchase through SNAP on Amazon Prime.
Orr told show host Dale Jackson that changes to the program are much needed in Alabama.
"It has gone off the rails. I don't begrudge people who are on SNAP. They do this, they're playing within the rules," said Orr. "OK, for them, but the rules need to be changed, because I do not believe when the program originated, this was in the minds of those back in the day."
He noted that SNAP, in its current form, is contributing to an ongoing nationwide increase in Medicaid enrollees.
"I see the cost of the Medicaid program, and it's exploding nationwide and also in Alabama, and when we allow sugary drinks and candies, all sugar-based, high fructose corn syrup-based, it feeds to our obesity rate, which I believe Alabama's bounces around between number two or three or four in the country," Orr said.
"And what happens with obesity?" he continued. "Well, you get diabetes, you get high blood pressure, you have heart issues, if you're morbidly obese, etc, the list goes on, and a lot of the SNAP recipients are on Medicaid."
"So, now we're paying all the doctor bills, prescription bills, and all that on the Medicaid side, all because we don't have the wherewithal to rein in what SNAP can be spent on," Orr added.
Orr, chairman of the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee, argued in favor of updating SNAP to reflect the same requirements as those of the Women, Infants and Children program.
"You know, we have for Women, Infants and Children, the WIC program, and it is a definition I really think SNAP ought to be under, which is dairy, breads, fruits, vegetables and meat, the basic food groups, not a lot of junk food and processed food."
"I'm not into the nanny state and regulating food, but if you're getting government money, let's be smart about it, because we're paying double. We're paying in the SNAP program, and then we're turning around and paying the Medicaid program."
"And our country is broke. We don't have the money. Forty trillion in debt," added Orr.
During the last legislative session, Orr introduced a bill to make candy and soft drinks ineligible for purchase with SNAP benefits in Alabama. He has pledged to reintroduce the legislation in the coming session.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every day.
