Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) will introduce the Funding is Zero for Zero Nutrition Options Act today. It is part of a legislative endeavor to improve public health and reduce taxpayer costs by prohibiting sugary, unhealthy carbonated drinks as eligible purchases with SNAP, a press release from Self’s office stated. The regular consumption of such sugar-filled refreshments has been linked to harmful health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart and kidney disease, among others.

“SNAP was originally created to help the poorest Americans access nutritious food,” Self said. “Allowing taxpayer dollars to subsidize sugary sodas, which offer zero nutritional value and contribute to costly health conditions, is counterproductive. The FIZZ-NO Act is a common-sense solution to strengthen public health and reduce the financial burden on taxpayers.”

The burden on taxpayers is an unrealized cost that typically doesn’t get much attention. This is especially true when considering the number of people affected by the negative ramifications associated with sugary carbonated drinks. For example, 40% of adults and 19% of children in the United States are considered obese, according to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the release noted. 

In addition to the aforementioned adverse health issues, these ailments “cost our healthcare system $190 billion annually.” In turn, the U.S. taxpayer funds these costs. Self’s rationalization is predicated on the notion that if these health problems never develop, or at least not at the expense of tax revenues that fund SNAP, then removing soda and other sugary carbonated drinks from SNAP-eligible purchases would be fiscally prudent and help “Make America Healthy Again.”