Inside the Historic Boost for SNAP Food Assistance

Health Affairs' Jessica Bylander and Leslie Erdelack discuss the latest on the average Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit, which is set to increase in 2022.

Show Notes

This week, the Biden administration updated its Thrifty Food Plan, which is used to calculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The analysis led to an increase in the average SNAP benefit which is set to increase in October.

The cost adjustment, according to the Biden administration, is the first update since the plan was first introduced in 1975.

Food insecurity is a big issue, especially as the social determinants of health increasingly are in health policy discussion. For example, one Health Affairs research article found that food-insecure children are at least twice as likely to report being in fair or poor health.

SNAP reduces the prevalence of food insecurity. Listen to Health Affairs' Editors Jessica Bylander and Leslie Erdelack discuss the Biden administration's latest move on SNAP, and what it means for health care.

Related Links:

• Biden Administration Prompts Largest Permanent Increase in Food Stamps (The New York Times)
• USDA Modernizes the Thrifty Food Plan, Updates SNAP Benefits (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
• Loss Of SNAP Is Associated With Food Insecurity And Poor Health In Working Families With Young Children (Health Affairs)
• The Effect Of The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program On Mortality (Health Affairs)
• Podcast: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill - What's in it for Health Care (Health Affairs This Week)

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Andrew Barnes wrote the theme music for Health Affairs This Week. He writes music under the name Fake Fever.

What is Health Affairs This Week?

Health Affairs This Week places listeners at the center of health policy’s proverbial water cooler. Join host Jeff Byers, editors from Health Affairs Publishing, and guests as they discuss health policy’s most pressing news and trends.