Good afternoon,
Whether you're under an excessive heat warning, flood watch, or beginning to clean up after Hurricane Beryl, OCP hopes you're staying safe this summer. <a href='[link removed]'>Here's how to help</a> Texans in the wake of the record-breaking storm.
The extreme weather put a damper on Fourth of July activities throughout the country, and the release of the GOP's platform added insult to injury with a so-called plan for the nation that looks like a manifesto written by an elementary schooler and fails to address the actual issues Americans face.
Republicans' rhetoric runs from ringing hollow to dangerously radical. Claims of wanting to support working families are undermined by a record of attempts to cut Medicare, food assistance, and other benefits. The idea that Republicans want to protect the rights of women and girls after orchestrating the overturn of Roe v. Wade is laughable. What's not even remotely funny are policies that provide for economic disaster and extreme federal overreach.
On the other side of the aisle, Democrats have had a scattered week. Regardless of their current confusion, behind them is a history of securing investment in infrastructure, manufacturing, and policies that actually provide relief and <a href='[link removed]'>opportunities</a> for hardworking Americans.
Here's what else you need to know this week...
LEFT BEHIND NO LONGER
Rural regions of the country have long been left out of investment that suburban and metropolitan areas have enjoyed. As a result, brain drain, business closures, and lower employment have dominated perceptions of rural America. As young people leave for more lucrative opportunities elsewhere, business owners are left wondering <a href='[link removed]'>who will take over when they retire</a> in a so-called 'silver tsunami.'
A <a href='[link removed]'>new EIG report</a>, however, suggests that the tides may be changing. Amid the continual growth of the labor market – bolstered by an <a href='[link removed]'>additional 206,000 jobs</a> in June – rural counties are winning, adding more jobs in 2023 than other left-behind counties.
Some growth has been driven by <a href='[link removed]'>warehousing and distribution</a>. Online shopping has exploded and the demand for goods is being answered in rural America. Fulfillment centers for companies such as Walmart and Amazon are terraforming regional job markets with high-paying opportunities.
It's not only the big retailers – small businesses have also enjoyed the <a href='[link removed]'>strongest three years of growth</a> since the turn of the century, helping to bring new jobs to rural communities.
COMBATTING CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) presents a formidable challenge, particularly for rural populations who are disproportionately affected by limited access to healthcare resources, socioeconomic disparities, restricted access to healthy food options, and higher rates of comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension. The consequences of undiagnosed CKD are severe, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs in these underserved communities.
A recent Wall Street Journal editorial titled '<a href='[link removed]'>Bureaucrats vs. Kidney Patients</a>' sheds light on a troubling decision by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) to limit kidney testing, which could disproportionally disadvantage rural patients. Less than a year ago, the NCQA, which sets quality metrics for health plans and providers, removed a guideline-compliant screening test for kidney disease. The quality metrics are linked to financial incentives, especially for Medicare Advantage plans, and the removal of the test from its list of approved tests for people with diabetes will limit options for the most at-risk group. 1 in 3 Americans with diabetes will likely develop CKD.
By prioritizing comprehensive, broad, and accessible screening strategies, we can prevent CKD progression, reduce healthcare costs, and, most importantly, save lives. It is time to prioritize patient needs and ensure that the tools necessary for early detection and management of CKD are available to all.
<a href='[link removed]'>Read more about the disparities in chronic kidney care.</a>
Be sure to follow the One Country Project on <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Twitter</a> and <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Facebook</a>, and listen to <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>The Hot Dish</a> podcast.
Paid for by One Country Project
This email was sent by One Country Project [[link removed]]
One Country Inc
600 Pennsylvania Ave SE
#15180
Washington, DC 20003
United States
One Country Project is a 501(c)(4). Contributions to One Country Project are not tax-deductible. They support our efforts to promote greater opportunities for rural communities.
Email is an important way for One Country Project to keep supporters like you informed about critical issues and to build a winning grassroots campaign. Too much email? Switch to our less email option [[link removed]] or unsubscribe here [[link removed]] .
You can also update your name, email, or mailing address. [[link removed]] Questions or concerns? Contact us here [[link removed]] .
[link removed] [[link removed]]
