Good afternoon,

Last week, we announced the recipients of our 2023 Rural Champion Awards. OCP commends Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Representatives Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03) and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) for their commitment to rural Americans throughout the country – supporting agriculture, diversifying the rural economy, and improving quality of life for rural residents.

We also recognize Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) as a Lifetime Rural Champion for her many years of dedication and service to rural communities' revitalization, including mental health care legislation, land and water conservation, and critical contributions to multiple Farm Bills. Read more about our 2023 Rural Champions here.

SENIOR CARE RISKED BY SITE-NEUTRAL CUTS

• A disproportionate share of Americans aged 65 and older live in rural areas, and that percentage is increasing much faster than in urban areas. According to the National Rural Health Association, 25% of seniors live in rural areas, and this figure will only increase as the Baby Boomer generation ages.

• The problems associated with aging often mean seniors need additional health services and more intensive care, increasing demand for senior services, but access continues to dwindle as hospitals facing workforce shortages, financial challenges, and inflation are forced to cut services. This has profound implications for rural communities, as in lieu of adequate care access, friends and adult children are often forced to stay home to provide that care themselves.

• The direct care workforce already accounts for nearly 4.8 million people, but projections estimate that number will need to nearly double by 2031 to meet the needs of America's aging population.

• At a time when this crisis is more evident than ever, Congress has proposed harmful "site-neutral" cuts to hospital funding that will shrink already-dwindling access even further. Rather than pursuing policies that put seniors' care at risk, Congress must work together to protect our rural hospitals and equip these vital points of care with the resources they need to help improve health care access for older Americans. Read OCP's full blog here.

SHARE YOUR RURAL HEALTH CARE STORY

Rural America faces unique health care challenges. One Country wants to raise awareness with policymakers in Washington, DC through first-person testimonials by rural residents. Tell us your story and help us improve health care access in rural America. If you heard any at the Thanksgiving table, please share the link with us.

• KCUR: Are the Midwest's rural areas finally seeing population growth after a decade of decline?
• Yahoo News: Rural health care providers are fighting the doctor drain
• Colorado Sun: In rural southwestern Colorado, maternal health care access is at risk
• Axios: Rural hospitals are missing out on a major expansion of medical training
• Agri-Pulse: Thrifty Food Plan fight 'flashpoint' in farm bill work, Stabenow says

Be sure to follow the One Country Project on Twitter and Facebook, and check out The Hot Dish podcast.