As we celebrate Independence Day, I hope every Oklahoman takes a moment to reflect on what this nation stands for, which is liberty, responsibility and the ability to chart our own course.
That’s exactly what Oklahoma is doing right now through the governor’s recent announcement of the Make Oklahoma Healthy Again (MOHA) campaign, a state-led effort inspired by President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) initiative.
I was honored to be in attendance as the Capitol welcomed Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to help launch this movement. This campaign is about more than slogans. It’s about restoring accountability, personal responsibility and common sense to the way we approach health in our state.
The biggest step, as far as I am concerned, is putting limits on what taxpayer-funded SNAP benefits can buy. These benefits were created to help families in need afford nutritious food, not soda, candy and processed junk. That’s why Oklahoma has formally submitted a federal waiver to prohibit the purchase of sugary drinks and candy using SNAP-EBT benefits which I fully support.
For a while now, we have been seeing the long-term costs of letting taxpayer dollars go to the very foods that are driving chronic illness, obesity and even mental health struggles like anxiety and depression.
Oklahoma has been at the wrong end of far too many health statistics for far too long. We’ve been known more for fried foods and high diabetes rates than for the strength and well-being of our families. That must change. The connection between nutrition and mental health is real. Healthy, whole foods fuel clearer thinking, stronger bodies and better outcomes for our children.
We’re taking action now, not only to improve lives, but to protect freedom. A strong, healthy citizenry is a free one, not dependent on endless government programs, but equipped to thrive and succeed.
As you spend time with your families this Independence Day, whether that’s at the lake, the parade, or around the grill, I hope you’ll join me in celebrating not just our freedom, but the responsibility that comes with it. Let’s take care of ourselves and each other. Let’s recommit to building a better, healthier Oklahoma for the next generation.
Happy Independence Day! It is an honor to represent you at the Capitol. If you would like to sign up for my newsletter or have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. My email address is [email protected], or you can call my office at (405) 557-7304. If you’re requesting to be added to the newsletter list, please include your email address.
Rep. Molly Jenkins, a Republican, represents House District 33 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Her district includes portions of Logan and Payne counties.
