MN House Considers SNAP Medical Program
ST. PAUL (WJON News) - A bill moving through the Minnesota House of Representatives would expand the SNAP program, normally used to supply low-income families with nutritious food, to include medical expenses.
House File 3469, currently referred to the House Health Finance and Policy Committee for discussion, would allow SNAP families in Minnesota to receive an additional $175 per month for medical bills, along with assistance in securing affordable medical insurance coverage.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Heather Keeler.
It matters what we put in our body, food is medicine. Studies tell us that food-insecure households spend almost 45% more on healthcare costs than families that have food-secure homes.
The bill would establish a pilot SNAP medicine program.
To be eligible:
- Aged 18 to 54
- Already enrolled in medical assistance
- Meet eligibility requirements for federal SNAP requirements
The pilot program would also implement a two-year moratorium on terminating food assistance for eligible families. The moratorium would expire on July 1st, 2026, and the Commissioner of Health would submit a report on the program’s effectiveness by January 1st, 2027.
Several House Republicans have urged caution, saying the state needs to watch what they spend under the threat of future budget deficits.
The bill was approved by the House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee. It was referred to the House Health Finance and Policy Committee for further discussion.
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