Listen: Limiting Benefits and Adding Restrictions, ‘MAHA’ Reshapes Food Aid

By Renuka Rayasam

September 4, 2025

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<br /> <span class="byline"><br /> By <a href="https://californiahealthline.org/news/author/renuka-rayasam/"><strong>Renuka Rayasam</strong></a> </span></p> <p>LISTEN: Carrot or the stick? Some nutritionists say incentives are the best way to improve the diets of low-income Americans on food aid, while the Trump administration seems focused on restrictions. KFF Health News senior correspondent Renuka Rayasam appeared on WAMU’s “Health Hub” on Sept. 3 to explain.</p> <p>The Trump administration is making historic changes to federal food aid as part of its plan to “Make America Healthy Again.” But some nutrition experts warn recent cuts to funding and more stringent rules to qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program <a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/make-america-healthy-again-maha-goal-at-odds-snap-food-benefit-cuts-georgia/">could do the opposite</a>: Worsen food insecurity and push families toward cheaper, less nutritious options. </p> <p>KFF Health News senior correspondent Renuka Rayasam appeared on WAMU’s “Health Hub” on Sept. 3 to explain how these new policies are shaping what’s on American dinner plates. </p> <p><em>Taylor Cook contributed to this report.</em> </p> <p><a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/about-us">KFF Health News</a> is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about <a href="https://www.kff.org/about-us/">KFF</a>.</p> <h3>USE OUR CONTENT</h3> <p>This story can be republished for free (<a href="https://californiahealthline.org/news/article/health-insurance-denial-prior-authorization-7-tips-to-file-appeal/view/republish/">details</a>).</p> <p>
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