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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. Here's how to help 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 opportunities 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 who will take over when they retire in a so-called 'silver tsunami.'
- A new EIG report, however, suggests that the tides may be changing. Amid the continual growth of the labor market – bolstered by an additional 206,000 jobs in June – rural counties are winning, adding more jobs in 2023 than other left-behind counties.
- Some growth has been driven by warehousing and distribution. 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 strongest three years of growth since the turn of the century, helping to bring new jobs to rural communities.
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Each week, this newsletter highlights what's going on in rural states, counties, and communities, and what One Country Project is up to around the country. If you value this content, please consider donating to One Country Project. Your contribution supports our efforts to connect with rural voters and to promote greater opportunities for rural communities.
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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 "Bureaucrats vs. Kidney Patients" 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.
Be sure to follow the One Country Project on Twitter and Facebook, and listen to The Hot Dish podcast.
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