SB 25 - Addressing Chronic Health Crisis

SB 25 seeks to tackle rising healthcare costs by promoting preventative health measures through nutrition education and increased physical activity in schools, potentially reducing long-term taxpayer burdens from Medicaid and other state-funded healthcare expenses. The bill also increases consumer transparency and choice and personal responsibility by requiring food manufacturers to label products containing certain additives banned in other countries. While this type of transparency is highly valuable when it comes to the foods we eat, mandating new labeling requirements on private businesses creates regulatory burdens that could lead to higher compliance costs—which may be passed on to consumers. We encourage lawmakers to amend the bill to focus on voluntary labeling incentives. Additionally, the continuing education requirements should be optional, as such education requirements may be unnecessary for some physicians. Nevertheless, TFR supports SB 25 for its benefits fighting against the chronic health endemic in the United States.