Iowa lawmakers propose banning undocumented women, kids from WIC
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An Iowa House bill would prohibit undocumented women, infants and children from a federally funded food assistance program for low-income families.
Why it matters: Local food bank organizers warn that taking away aid would result in more hungry infants and children at a time when food banks are experiencing record demand.
- Meanwhile, state Rep. Austin Harris (R-Moulton), who proposed the bill, notes that undocumented people already don't qualify for SNAP or Medicaid, and he wants to create more accountability for taxpayer dollars.
State of play: House Study Bill 696 is a comprehensive bill addressing several public assistance programs, including Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
- The federal program focuses on providing healthy and nutritious foods for pregnant and postpartum women and their kids 5 and under.
- The bill would add a citizen requirement for Iowans requesting WIC aid, plus 12 months of continued residency in the state.
- It would also expunge a family's unused SNAP benefits after 91 days, instead of the current nine months.
What they're saying: "Iowa is not going to be a sanctuary state for waste, fraud and abuse," Harris said during a subcommittee meeting yesterday.
The other side: The bill also goes beyond disqualifying undocumented immigrants, Des Moines Area Religious Council CEO Kathy Underhill pointed out.
- A woman in Omaha who becomes pregnant and returns to Iowa to be with her family would be unable to get the supplemental food aid, she says.
- "Simply put, this legislation would result in malnourished babies," Underhill said during the meeting.
Yes, but: Disability advocates thanked lawmakers for other parts of the bill, including a portion that would ease the income requirements for employed Iowans with disabilities to qualify for Medicaid.
- There's also a portion that would reimburse travel time for medical providers who are giving in-home care.