At the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), we know the critical role that nutrition plays in overall health and well-being. Healthier food leads to healthier kids, families, and communities. For many, healthy, nutritious food is accessible thanks to programs like USDA’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC.
But, as yet another budget deadline looms, the clock is ticking for Congress to fully fund WIC in 2024, or risk nutrition security for millions of women, infants, and children.
WIC is one of the most powerful, evidence-based public health programs available, with a long history of helping moms, kids, and babies thrive. At nearly 6.7 million participants, WIC serves roughly half of all babies born in the country. It provides nutrition support to women and children at critical life stages, and also helps mothers with breastfeeding support and referrals to pediatricians, housing assistance, and other crucial services.
For decades, Congress has upheld a bipartisan commitment to fully funding WIC to serve every eligible participant that applies. But for 2024, despite repeated requests from the Biden-Harris administration, Congress has not provided the full funding for this vital program.
Without a necessary funding increase, WIC will face a budget shortfall. If funded at the same level as the January 2024 continuing resolution, WIC would face a shortfall of $1 billion, equivalent to 1.5 months of benefits for the nearly 6.7 million people that rely on the program.
A federal funding shortfall of this magnitude presents state agencies responsible for running WIC programs with difficult, untenable decisions about how to manage the lack of funds. States would likely need to implement waiting lists for applicants to reduce costs. Given the size of the funding shortfall, it is likely that waiting lists would stretch across all participant categories, affecting new applicants and existing beneficiaries up for renewal. If other cost-cutting measures like reducing clinic hours are not enough to make up for the shortfall, it is also possible some states may be forced to discontinue or suspend benefits.
Both of us—a nutrition policy expert and a pediatrician—worry about the severe and harmful consequences of cutting off access to WIC. WIC participation during pregnancy is associated with lower risk of preterm birth, low birthweight, and infant mortality. Children on WIC are also more likely to follow healthier eating patterns, and this impact grows the longer a child stays on WIC.
The longer Congress puts off fully funding WIC, the greater the risk to mothers, babies, and children seeking nutrition and health support from the program. We are calling on Congress to end this uncertainty and provide WIC the funding it needs to continue to serve all those eligible who seek to participate. The future leaders of our nation depend on WIC — and on us.
Stacy Dean is deputy under secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services. Admiral Rachel L. Levine, MD, serves as the assistant secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).