CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. – Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited Martinsburg, West Virginia, this week to promote his “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative, emphasizing the state’s deep connection to his family’s political history.
Kennedy reflected on the impact of his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, and his 1960 campaign, where winning West Virginia—a state with a historically low Catholic population—was pivotal in proving a Catholic could be elected president.
“He believed he owed his presidency to the people of this state,” Kennedy said, recalling how his uncle and other family members tirelessly campaigned in West Virginia to connect with voters on critical issues.
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A New Health-Focused Initiative
Building on that legacy, Kennedy announced new health policies alongside West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, aiming to tackle obesity and nutrition-related health challenges in the state.
The initiatives include:
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Banning artificial food dyes and preservatives in school lunches by 2028.
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Seeking federal approval to restrict SNAP benefits from being used on sugary drinks like soda.
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Introducing work requirements for certain SNAP recipients to promote economic independence.
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Encouraging daily exercise through the “Mountaineer Mile” initiative, which challenges residents to walk at least one mile per day.
“West Virginia has the highest obesity rate in the country, and we’re taking real steps to change that,” Morrisey said. “We’re cleaning up school meals, promoting fitness, and making SNAP about nutrition again.”
A Personal Commitment to Change
Kennedy, who previously worked on anti-pollution efforts in West Virginia, said his role as HHS Secretary now allows him to focus on a different kind of environmental battle—improving public health.
Morrisey, who has been publicly sharing his own “Mountaineer Mile” walks, said the MAHA movement officially began in West Virginia with these initiatives, setting the stage for national health policy reforms.
“Today is about making West Virginia healthier—one step at a time,” Morrisey said.