According to CNN, that shift could result in some states limiting enrollment in assistance programs, or pulling out of SNAP altogether. Currently, it’s estimated that around 11 million people, including 4 million children, would lose access to SNAP benefits. But despite the touted federal government “savings,” these cuts to Medicaid and SNAP will have a devastating impact on the economy. There is pretty solid consensus among economists and other policy experts that programs like SNAP have obvious — and immediate — economic benefits. What is abundantly clear, though, is that it’s time to stop viewing the fight over food stamps as having anything to do with making the economy better.