Poor nutrition is linked to health problems—and health costs—in a host of ways, from outright malnutrition to long-term problems like diabetes and obesity. That's why cutting food stamps would
increase long-term health care costs. Turns out, it may increase very short-term, as in month to month, health care costs as well: A new study finds that not having enough to eat may lead to immediate
spikes in hospitalization:
Poor people with diabetes are significantly more likely to go to the hospital for dangerously low blood sugar at the end of the month when food budgets are tight than at the beginning of the month, a new study has found.
Researchers found no increase in such hospitalizations among higher-income people for the condition known as hypoglycemia, suggesting that poverty and exhausted food budgets may be a reason for the increased health risk. [...]
Researchers found a clear pattern among low-income people: Hospital admissions for hypoglycemia were 27 percent higher at the end of the month than at the beginning.
That's a correlation, not proof of causation, but if you're finding a strong correlation for low-income people you're not finding for higher-income people ... it's highly suggestive, at a minimum. And since the people who have trouble affording enough food at the end of the month are more likely to be on Medicaid or have trouble paying for medical care, we very well may be looking at a situation where a small amount of extra nutritional assistance could cut health care costs significantly. To say nothing of the human suffering and risks for greater health problems. But, of course, Republicans want to kick millions of people off of food stamps or cut their already inadequate aid, and some Democrats are all too willing to "compromise."
Sign and send our petition to your Democratic senator, telling them in no uncertain terms: No Farm Bill that cuts food stamps. Absolutely no cuts to food stamps at all. None.