Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative is building some serious momentum across the United States as states (both red and blue) continue to adopt sweeping policies aimed at bettering the health of Americans and fighting chronic disease.
This week, more states successfully secured government waivers to create healthier options for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) gave the go-ahead for six more states to reform food stamp options — including removing junk food, including sodas and candy.
Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee have all had their waivers approved by the agency this week.
In total, 18 states are now on track for food stamp reforms, all set to go into effect sometime in 2026. The twelve other states to adopt the MAHA policy are Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.
The only two Democratic-run states that have submitted the health waivers are Colorado and Hawaii.
Every state is banning the purchase of soda with food stamps, with some states also banning sweetened beverages and energy drinks.
States such as Arkansas, Idaho, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas are banning candy purchases through SNAP.
West Virginia, Utah, Nebraska, Iowa, and Indiana will make their sweeping changes effective January 1, 2026.
Other states will take more time to rollout the plan, with the last implementation set to take effect in Missouri in October 2026.
“Thank you to the 18 governors who are leading the charge on SNAP reform to restore the health of Americans — especially our kids. Their courageous leadership is exactly what we need to Make America Healthy Again,” RFK, Jr. said in a statement about the momentum.
“We cannot continue a system that forces taxpayers to fund programs that make people sick and then pay a second time to treat the illnesses those very programs help create.”
Rollins highlighted President Donald Trump’s involvement, stating, “President Trump has made it clear: we are restoring SNAP to its true purpose – nutrition.”
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins praised the momentum, saying: “Under the MAHA initiative, we are taking bold, historic steps to reverse the chronic disease epidemic that has taken root in this country for far too long,”
“America’s governors are answering that call with courage and innovation, offering solutions that honor the generosity of the taxpayer while helping families live longer, healthier lives,” Rollins added.