by: Andy Jesson, AOF Policy & Communications Intern
In mid-November, Congress approved a temporary funding package, pushing the deadline for full-year appropriations bills into early next year. The bipartisan agreement ended the threat of a government shutdown for the time being, ensuring key health programs remain operational, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Though WIC will continue assisting millions of women and children across the U.S. over the next two months, congressional action is needed early next year to secure WIC’s future.
Numbers Behind WIC
WIC provides funding for nutrition and healthcare access for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children under the age of five. Established as a permanent federal program in the 1970s, today WIC serves about seven million people nationwide, 55 percent of whom are children. In Ohio, about 160,000 individuals benefit from WIC each month (75 percent children and infants). Dozens of studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of WIC on maternal and infant health, showing a positive impact on rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant mortality. WIC’s proven effect on the well-being of mothers and young children has led to the U.S. Department of Agriculture calling it “one of the nation’s most successful and cost-effective nutrition intervention programs”.
Future of WIC
Congress has until early next year to pass appropriations bills and avoid a shutdown, however, both a government shutdown and the passage of appropriations bills pose potential threats to WIC. A government shutdown would result in an immediate reduction in benefits for most of the individuals receiving assistance. In addition to a reduction in benefits, new participants may be put on a waitlist, something WIC has not had in nearly 30 years. Though a shutdown directly harms WIC, it is not the lone threat to the future of WIC funding in the coming months. As the deadline for next year’s appropriations bills nears, some House Republicans have suggested spending cuts to WIC. Since it is fully-funded at the federal level, the future of WIC is dependent upon the steps taken by Congress over the next few months.
While the funding of WIC beginning next year remains unclear, so does the future of WIC participation in Ohio. Between 2015 and 2021, statewide participation in WIC declined by nearly a third.
Some have pointed to the decline in participation as a direct result of Ohio having yet to switch to an online delivery system. As of March 2023, Ohio is one of just five states still requiring in-person issuance of WIC benefits. Research during the pandemic showed higher participation in states with an online delivery system and decreased participation in states that require in-person visits. Moreover, the decline in WIC participation may also be linked to a lack of participating retailers, especially in rural counties. While urban counties have dozens of retailers and pharmacies carrying WIC-eligible products, some rural counties throughout the state have as few as one location WIC participants can utilize. Regardless of the causes leading to decreased participation, the reality is Ohio has one of the lower WIC participation rates in the country. While about 51 percent of eligible individuals are enrolled in WIC nationally, Ohio has a participation rate of just 38.9 percent, meaning there is a gap of 250,000 eligible Ohioans not enrolled.
The most pressing issue regarding WIC is the funding deadline approaching early next year, and should be the present focus for advocates and lawmakers. Once funding is secured, efforts should be made to increase participation in Ohio and allow eligible women, children, and infants to benefit from the federal program.
Call to Action
Contact U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance to ask them to fully fund WIC using this link from the Ohio Association of Foodbanks!