Advocacy Highlights
Below are talking points on one of the bills we advocated for during our lobby day in January!
SNAP Minimum Benefit
A1318/S665
Basics of the Bill
Bill A1318/S665 seeks to cover the gap between existing SNAP benefits and $100 per month minimum for all households. This benefit is proposed to be covered by state funds unless federal funds become available. Impacts Social Services Law by adding §95-b.
The Bottom Line
Asking for support for this bill to be incorporated into the state budget.
$100.1M to provide a state supplement in supporting a $100 minimum monthly SNAP benefit.
Talking Points
They are likely aware of SNAP benefits due to recent SNAP issues. Acknowledge this going in.
- Proven impact on improving nutrition security (see graph)
- Increased purchasing power and putting dollars back into the local economy
- Reduced healthcare spending with increased food security and improved health
- Reduces the burden on the emergency food system, food pantries and food banks, that also rely on state funding.
Cost of Food
Grocery prices have increased by 25-30% over the past five years. The Thrifty Food Plan by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service estimates that a nutritious diet costs a minimum of $1,000 per month for a family of four. Additionally, the USDA estimates the cost of food for one adult is between $260 and $430 per month. The federal minimum SNAP benefit is $23/month. This covers at most 11 meals per month or about 11% of their total food needs for a single adult in America. https://www.fns.usda.gov/research/cnpp/usda-food-plans/cost-food-monthly-reports
Proven Impact on Nutrition Security
The number of SNAP recipients jumped during the pandemic and have remained high. Even with an increase in NYS residents meeting the guidelines for receiving SNAP, food insecurity improved during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023). This is attributed to the
increase in state, federal, and philanthropic funding of relief efforts increasing buying power and access to food. As the relief efforts ended, food insecurity rates started to rise, indicating the need for ongoing funding to keep food insecurity rates from getting higher. (https://www.osc.ny.gov/reports/food-insecurity-persists-post-pandemic)
Additional Background
SNAP Impact on Personal Health
The most basic resource required for health is food. Chronic disease prevention and treatment, including lifestyle modifications and nutrition intervention, help to ease the burden on the healthcare system. These nutrition interventions cannot be accomplished if the household does not have enough food. A minimum SNAP benefit of $100/month would help families move from looking at just if there is enough to eat, to evaluating if the food is helping improve their health. True nutrition security means access to food that supports health, not just survival. SNAP is the cornerstone of that access but needs more support to make the most impact.
SNAP Impact on Public Health
The food access provided by SNAP is foundational for public health and safety. Food access through SNAP is essential for nutrition interventions working towards chronic disease prevention and treatment which can reduce healthcare spending saving NY money on Medicaid. SNAP benefits have also been shown to reduce stigma and provide dignity in food procurement.
Support
S665 Introduced by Sens. May, Addabbo, Brisport, Cleare, Conroe, Cooney, Fernandez, Gonzalez, Counardes, Harckham, Hinchey, Hoylman-Sigal, Kavanagh, Martins, Murray, Myrie, Sepulveda, Serrano, Webb.
A1318 Introduced by M. of A. Gonzalez-Rojas, Davila, Simon, Raga, Sawright, Taylor, Simone, Shimsky, Gallagher, Smith, McDonough, Hevesi, Kim, Forrest, Cunningham, Levenberg, Mikulin, Steck, K. Brown, Lavine, Chang, Glick, Simpson, Lunsford, De Los Santos, Lucas,
Manktelow, Mamdani, Gallahan, Epstein, R. Carroll, Kelles, Dinowitz, Otis, Rosenthal, Hyndman, Anderson
LICENSURE
Currently in NYS Registered Dietitian Nutritionists can obtain title certification as a Certified Dietitian Nutritionist.
NYSAND has been advocating for licensure in New York State for a long time. Last legislative session, we received comments from our bill sponsor and suggestions to improve it’s likelihood of passing. This year, we are working alongside AND to address these comments and rewrite the bill in a new and innovative way.
During the 2023 NYS Legislative Session, we plan to introduce bills in both the Assembly and Senate proposing Licensure of nutrition and dietetics professionals. You can view the bills from last year’s session here:
Assembly Bill A6353 (Sponsored by Assemblyman Thiele)
Senate Bill S.1084 (Sponsored by Senator James Gaughran)
To find our more regarding the difference between Licensure and Certification, see our FAQ here.
NYSAND highly encourages you to apply for your CDN NOW, as you will be grandfathered in if a licensure bill were to pass in the future. All licensure bills are an AMENDMENT to the current certification law.
RDNs as Medicaid Providers
NYSAND has been working alongside NY Department of Health to make Registered Dietitians an eligible provider type under New York State Medicaid.
In 2023, the state budget passed with inclusion of funding for medical nutrition therapy by RDNs on state medicaid. This will initially start with access to MNT for the pre and postpartum population (designated area of improvement of healthcare in NYS), and will eventually expand to ALL populations as needed (expected by end of year).
Currently, we are working with DOH to negotiate payment rates for MNT services and to get the system up and running`.
NYSAND encourages ALL members to apply for NPI # and CDN if they wish to partake in this new allotment.
ADDITIONAL LEGISLATION NYSAND IS TRACKING
NYSAND’s Public Policy team routinely monitors active legislation that pertains to nutrition and dietetics professionals. Below are a few of the bills from the 2023 Legislative Session that NYSAND is monitoring.
Note: The presence of the bills below does not constitute an endorsement by NYSAND.
| Bill No. | |
| A5985A | Rosenthal L — Relates to physician coursework or training in nutrition Currently on Assembly Committee Agenda Higher Education (FAHY) 11:30 AM, Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Room 715 LOB Same as S 4401-A WEBB SUMM : Add §264, Pub Health L Requires the department of health to develop, maintain, and distribute to practicing and licensed physicians in the state a resource library related to continuing medical education and training opportunities regarding nutrition. 03/28/23 referred to higher education 05/19/23 amend and recommit to higher education 05/19/23 print number 5985a Same-As S 4401 Last Act: 05/22/23 AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO FINANCE 05/22/23 PRINT NUMBER 4401A |
| Bill No. | |
| A6720 | Solages — Relates to guidelines for food and beverages purchased or sold by state agencies Currently on Assembly Committee Agenda Governmental Operations (MCDONALD) 11:00 AM, Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Room 623 LOB Same as S 4364 FERNANDEZ SUMM : Add Art 2 Title 4-A §§252 – 254, Pub Health L Directs the department of health to develop state food guidelines for foods purchased, served, and sold by state agencies, programs, and institutions and on state property. 05/05/23 referred to governmental operations Same-As S 4364 Last Act: 02/07/23 REFERRED TO PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTS |
| A7244 | Simone — Requires medical assistance coverage for medically tailored meals Currently on Assembly Committee Agenda Health (PAULIN) 12:30 PM, Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Room 823 LOB Same as S 4790 RIVERA SUMM : Amd §365-a, Soc Serv L Requires medical assistance coverage for medically tailored meals and medical nutrition therapy for the purpose of disease management. 05/15/23 referred to health Same-As S 4790 Last Act: 03/31/23 referred to health |
If you have questions pertaining to any of the legislative items listed above, please contact info@eatrightny.org