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For all the talk about fixing America’s health crisis, real change has to start somewhere—and Texas is stepping up. A new bill making its way through the state legislature takes direct inspiration from the MAHA movement, aiming to combat rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and chronic disease.
On paper, this makes a lot of sense. Texas isn’t exactly topping the charts when it comes to public health. The state has some of the highest obesity and diabetes rates in the country, with over 35% of adults classified as obese and one in ten living with diabetes. Throw in poor access to healthcare in rural areas, rising food insecurity, and an overreliance on ultra-processed foods, and you’ve got a serious problem.
The proposed bill would introduce a range of policy shifts, including:
Tighter food regulations to phase out certain additives linked to metabolic disease.
Expanding nutrition education in schools to prioritize real food over processed junk.
New incentives for local farmers to make fresh produce more accessible.
Medicaid and state health program adjustments to focus on prevention rather than just treatment.
While these measures may seem like common sense, they represent a dramatic shift in how state governments approach public health. Historically, health policy at the state level has been reactionary—dealing with the consequences of poor diet and lifestyle choices rather than trying to prevent them in the first place.
And this is where things get interesting.
With RFK Jr. now officially leading Health and Human Services, and the newly created Make America Healthy Again Commission pushing for reform at the federal level, individual states are beginning to take the initiative. Texas is the first to attempt a state-level rollout of MAHA-style policies, but it likely won’t be the last.
Of course, not everyone is on board. Critics argue that these changes could lead to government overreach, potentially restricting consumer choice or placing new burdens on businesses. And given Texas’ reputation for resisting federal influence, the idea of pushing public health regulations might seem at odds with the state’s usual hands-off approach. But at the same time, something has to give.
Obesity-related healthcare costs in Texas are projected to hit $39 billion annually by 2030, and current policies clearly aren’t moving the needle. If this bill passes, it could serve as a blueprint for other states looking to take control of their public health crises—without waiting on Washington to act.
The key takeaway? Regardless of how you feel about MAHA or government-led health initiatives, one thing is clear: health is finally taking its place in the spotlight. After decades of being an afterthought in policy discussions, food, nutrition, and chronic disease prevention are now front and center.
This isn’t just another “feel-good” bill that fades into the background. If Texas succeeds in implementing these reforms, expect to see other states following suit—each putting their own spin on how to improve public health at a local level.
For those of us who have been asking for serious conversations about food and health for years, this is a moment worth paying attention to. Real change won’t happen overnight, but seeing states take action is a step in the right direction.
We’ll be watching closely to see where this goes next. Stay tuned.
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