Today on NPR’s On Point with Tom Ashbrook, a vigorous discussion on NYC’s decision to restrict the use of food stamps for buying soda.

This debate spurs many questions. Is the proposed measure a productive way to fight the obesity epidemic? Will it further complicate the process of getting food to hungry people? Is it an undo restriction on impoverished people’s freedom?

These are challenging questions and there may not be much data on how these restrictions might affect obesity rates or hunger. According to Ashbrook, some states have tried to impose similar restrictions but were unsuccessful.

My concern is that policy makers often make sweeping changes without understanding how it will affect people on the ground. Of course in theory, this sounds like a way to encourage people to eat nutritious foods. We’ll have to wait to see if the government approves the plan, which is a pilot program to examine these very questions.

Get more info on the food stamp program at the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.

Visit Mass Food Stamp Program for more info.