Velazquez Unveils Bill Expanding Access to Healthy Foods

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) today introduced legislation aimed at making healthy foods more available for New York’s working families. H.R. 3291, the “Healthy Foods for Healthy Living Act,” would enable community based organizations such as schools, day care centers, food banks and senior centers to expand their stock of fresh fruits and vegetables. With obesity on the rise, the legislation is designed to address growing health problems like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, all of which are linked to unhealthy eating.

“Too often, New Yorkers do not have ready access to nutritious foods that are needed for a healthy lifestyle,” said Velázquez. “Ultimately, this legislation is about empowering families to make healthier food choices, so they live longer.”

In New York City, obesity is epidemic: more than half of adults in the city are overweight or obese. Data show that obesity begins early in life: nearly, 1 in 5 kindergarten students in New York is obese. One cause of these growing health problems is lack of access to healthy food options. According to the City, 3 million New Yorkers reside in areas that are underserved, lacking adequate access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

“For working parents, seniors and low income families, it can be a significant burden to travel across the City simply to get the food they need to stay healthy,” Velázquez noted. “By expanding the availability of nutritious food in low-income communities, we can help New Yorkers lead healthier lives.”

Beyond making healthy eating a priority, Velázquez’s bill would encourage prevention and treatment for obesity, by expanding Medicare and Medicaid coverage of these services. By making nutrition education, stress testing and certain exercise treatments eligible for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, the bill would further encourage physicians to help tackle obesity issues.

“Many obesity-related conditions are largely preventable through the right diet and exercise,” said Velázquez. “It is much less expensive to prevent these diseases before they take root, rather than waiting to treat them later in life.”

H.R. 3291 has been referred to the Committees on Agriculture, Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. The bill is the latest effort by Velázquez to promote healthy eating and builds on legislative work in previous years to expand access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

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