MARTINSBURG, W.Va (WDTV) – Thursday morning, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joined Governor Patrick Morrisey for an event in Martinsburg, announcing initiatives to “Make West Virginia Healthy.”
During the event, Governor Morrisey, standing behind a podium with a sign displaying “MAHA Starts Here,” launched his four pillars of a Healthy West Virginia.
The pillars are as follows:
1. Clean Up the Food: Ban the junk. Fix what’s broken. Protect our kids.
2. Choose Health, Live Strong: Better choices today mean longer, stronger lives tomorrow,
3. Move Your Body, Change Your Life: From mountain trails to school gyms, we’re getting West Virginians moving.
4. Reward Healthy Choices: Incentivize health. From SNAP to school menus, we’re putting real food within reach.
Morrisey brought to attention that West Virginia ranks at the bottom of many public health metrics, including having the lowest life expectancy rate. “We have the power to change that,” Morrisey exclaimed. “I want all West Virginians to have happy, long, healthy and purposeful lives.”
Morrisey went on to say that he, himself hasn’t always made the best choices when it comes to health. I’m not afraid to admit that I’ve not always made the best food and exercise decisions in my life, but I will do my best to get better.” Later joking that he asked Kennedy to be his personal trainer.
Kennedy praised Governor Morrisey and state legislators for their initiatives, particular the recent bill banning synthetic dyes from food in the state. “I’m very, very grateful to Governor Morrisey for his visionary leadership in getting West Virginia to lead the way in transitioning off of processed foods.”
Kennedy spoke on the dangers of food dyes, citing links to ADHD and cancers.
“We’re getting sicker and sicker every year and it’s really just a debate about who’s going to pay for it,” said Kennedy. “Nobody has been focused on how we get ourselves less sick.”
The event ended with Morrisey signing a letter of intent to ask for multiple SNAP waivers.
You can watch the full event below.
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