Hunger and Malnutrition

Floor Speech

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Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, hunger and
malnutrition affect millions of Americans every day. I have witnessed
this in my home state of New Mexico, which has some of the highest
hunger rates in the country. These rates are especially high among
vulnerable populations, such as children and seniors. Many working
families have to rely on food banks and church-sponsored meal programs
to put food on the table. Often times, these families live in food
deserts and cannot access affordable and healthy foods, which puts them
at risk of becoming malnourished.

Nearly 16 million American children face hunger, and most of the food
they receive is not considered healthy; rather, their parents are more
inclined to buy the most affordable food available. The lack of access
to healthy food hurts a child's development, including physical and
mental health, academic achievement and future economic prosperity.

Seniors are among the most physically vulnerable to hunger. They face
unique nutritional requirements, medical conditions and mobility
restrictions. In addition to the lack of access to nutritious foods,
many seniors are not able to absorb certain foods, compromising their
health and putting them at risk for increased long-term care and
hospitalization.

Although hunger and malnutrition affect so many in our communities,
Congress is not doing enough to address these issues. Instead, we've
seen Congress try time after time to cut funding for the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food for more than
45 million Americans. We've also seen Congress attempt to roll back
school meal standards, which are aimed to improve nutrition among
children.

Cutting funding for nutritional programs will not save the federal
government money. We know that hunger and malnutrition increase risk of
illness and result in longer hospital stays, slower healing, greater
risk for re-hospitalizations and complications.

As a government so concerned about health care costs, how are we not
laser-focused on the nutritional status of patients? We seek solutions
for health care costs every day, particularly from those dually
eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. However, it is clear that
nutritional status deserves more attention.

September 28 through October 2 has been designated as Malnutrition
Awareness Week. Let us use this as a call to action to increase
awareness and find solutions that support better nutrition for our
communities. Healthy citizens mean a healthy society and healthy
economy.

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