The same communities that produce our country’s food are experiencing high rates of food insecurity. That gap in nutrition is leading to big medical bills.

A lack of access to healthy food is tied to chronic illnesses and increased mental health issues, leading to more medications, higher health care costs and, ultimately, less money to buy food. Health challenges like diabetes, asthma and depression are directly linked to food insecurity.

Lawmakers can help. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)–which provides nutrition assistance for households with low incomes–is the most effective hunger-relief program in the country, helping people afford the food they need to stay well when times are tough. Improving SNAP means more families will have access to the food they need, which could help lower their health care costs.

Congress has the opportunity to help rural communities thrive by strengthening SNAP provisions right now in the farm bill–the largest piece of federal legislation for food and farming, reviewed and renewed once every few years.

SNAP is an effective solution for addressing food insecurity and its health repercussions in rural communities. SNAP beneficiaries can save around $1,400 per year in health care costs.

We must support communities that lack access to food. It’s time our lawmakers close the gap in nutrition by strengthening SNAP benefits in the farm bill.