The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, healthcare referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. Its aim is to safeguard the health of these vulnerable populations.
The program’s funding and structure are typically subject to Congressional appropriations and policy decisions. Changes in presidential administrations can lead to alterations in budgetary priorities and regulatory agendas, thereby impacting the resources available to programs like WIC. Historical precedent indicates that different administrations have varied significantly in their support for social safety net programs.