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A slew of MAHA victories in the states

MAHA won’t work from the top down.

Can you really make America healthy again from the top down?

Is that even constitutional?

The MAHA movement is experiencing a second wind as multiple states pick up Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s call to improve Americans’ eating habits.

According to the Trump administration’s “MAHA Report: Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment,” “The American diet has shifted dramatically toward ultra-processed foods (UPFs), leading to nutrient depletion, increased caloric intake, and exposure to harmful additives. Nearly 70% of children’s calories now come from UPFs, contributing to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.”

However, as we have repeatedly suggested on the blog, blending MAHA’s emphasis on nutrition with the principles of freedom, self-governance, and limited government is no easy feat.

Fortunately, it becomes a bit easier at the state level.

SEE ALSO: Updates about MAHA and ‘RFK’d’ French Fries

Over recent years, federal SNAP spending has averaged $110 billion annually ($99.8 billion in fiscal year 2024, $112.8 billion in 2023, and $119.4 billion in 2022), prompting several governors to question whether taxpayers should be forced to subsidize junk food and “poisonous” diets.

“SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,” said West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, whose state suffers from the highest obesity rate. “We’re gonna put the ‘N’ back [in SNAP], and soda certainly does not have any nutrition.”

“People can still go out and buy soda if they want,” he added, “but the taxpayers are not going to subsidize it anymore.”

The Mountain State joins a growing list of states amending SNAP benefits to promote healthier diets. On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, a COS supporter, approved a series of waivers permitting six states — West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas — to exclude certain junk foods from the SNAP lineup beginning in 2026. Currently, most states permit users to purchase Pop-Tarts, Cheetos, cake, ice cream, sodas, and highly processed cereals — all foods on RFK Jr.’s naughty list.

“It is incredible to see so many states take action at this critical moment in our nation’s history and do something to begin to address chronic health problems,” said Secretary Rollins. At USDA, we play a key role in supporting Americans who fall on hard times, and that commitment does not change. Rather, these state waivers promote healthier options for families in need.”

Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah enacted similar measures earlier this year.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, joined the Trump-led effort, exempting sugary drinks from SNAP benefits. He also proposed two additional waivers, yet to be approved by the USDA, one of which would make it easier for SNAP users to purchase from local farmers’ markets. The other would make hot prepared foods, including rotisserie chickens, available for purchase (currently, participants can’t use their benefits for food that’s hot at the point of sale).

“Colorado is one of the healthiest states in the nation and has the lowest obesity rate of any state,” the governor explained. “Sadly, even Colorado’s lowest obesity rate of 24.9% is too high, and endangers and shortens the lives of too many Coloradans.”

Polis pointed out that “many local grocers make stocking decisions in part based on SNAP eligibility” and expressed hope that the waiver will help make room on shelves for healthier options.

Florida and Texas went a step further, banning soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts. Louisiana blocked soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy, while Oklahoma restricted only soft drinks and candy.

SEE ALSO: RFK bids adieu to food dyes

For strict constitutionalists who question how the MAHA agenda squares away with the principles of limited government, Secretary Kennedy offered this explanation:

“We all believe in free choice,” he said. “We live in a democracy. People can make their own choice about what they’re going to buy and what they’re not going to buy. If you want to buy a sugary soda, you ought to be able to do that. U.S. taxpayers should not pay for it.”

State-led SNAP reforms strike a balance between personal liberties and healthier lifestyle choices. Just like a “balanced diet,” a flourishing society requires both.

RFK Jr. and the federal government may have a part to play in promoting better health (a small one), but the more the states and the people embrace this responsibility for themselves, the more we can build the muscle of self-governance.

Convention of States, a nationwide grassroots movement, is leading the pack to reform the federal government, crack down on Washington’s flagrant overreach, and promote civic duty. Sign the petition below to support our call for an Article V convention to propose amendments limiting federal spending, power, and terms of office!

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Created:	2025-08-05 22:20 GMT
Updated:	2025-08-13 07:00 GMT
Published:	2025-08-06 15:15 GMT
Converted:	2025-11-11 12:06 GMT
Change Author:	Jakob Fay
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