The Rural Impact

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The Rural Impact

A Podcast Connecting the Dots Between Policy & Rural Everything

09/10/2025

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law HR 1, cutting more than $1 trillion from Medicaid and Marketplace health coverage and stripping coverage from lawfully residing immigrants, tying the hands of states and forcing massive revenue shortfalls to cover their share of Medicaid, and specifically targeting the Medicaid adult expansion enacted by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

In this new episode, Michelle Rathman-Batschke sat down with Georgetown University Center for Children and Families Research Professors, Tricia Brooks and Leonardo Cuello, as well as State Health Policy Analyst Hannah Green, to discuss their report, "Are States Ready to Implement HR 1 and Medicaid Work Reporting Requirements?" Learn about the impact of these policies and their rural health implications during the ongoing
government shutdown.

Listen everywhere or here: https://tinyurl.com/43myhja2

08/10/2025

We don't have to imagine the outcome when others seek to stir chaos or bring failure to public-serving organizations. Social media shows us every day.

From city councils to county governments, hospital, school, and library boards in small towns and larger cities, there are countless examples of the power of thoughtful and civil collaboration for the common good. Then, there is performative outrage. Performative outrage that has managed to erode trust and break the social contract. And, while it may feel like outrage is winning the day, this episode focuses on a way to change course, for the better.

Listen as Michelle Rathman-Batschke welcomes City Manager and author Brooks Williams as they discuss how manufactured fury undermines local government and public service, and how it's possible to dim the lights on the spectacle, helping leaders focus on the essential business of serving people.

08/10/2025

Click on a state to hear a marketplace Navigator or enrollee talk about what it would mean if Congress does not act to extend the enhanced premium tax credits, which otherwise expire at the end of December 2025.

07/10/2025

Can you relate? “There is not a desire to solve problems. There is a desire to create outrage.”

In our latest episode, Michelle Rathman-Batschke talked with author and nationally recognized city manager, Brooks Williams, as he shares how outrage wins when logic and facts are overshadowed by emotion, and the urgent need for public servants to see themselves as culture shapers within their communities.

The Rural Impact is on all podcast platforms and YouTube. Join the Conversation - Listen & Share https://tinyurl.com/mrex9cyy

A special thanks to our partners at National Association of Rural Health

06/10/2025

📢 Calling America's over 5,000 Rural Health Clinics. There is an event you won't want to miss, in a place you'll want to stay, and with people who will inspire you to learn, network, and have fun!
➡️Sharing a special invitation from our partners National Association of Rural Health Clinics to join them for a rendezvous in Reno!
📅October 20-22 NARHC Fall Institute
🔗narhc.org

03/10/2025

In our next episode, we're asking experts the question:

❗ "Are states ready to implement HR1 and Medicaid work reporting requirements?"

🌾 Also in the works, a seriously important conversation about policies and the impact on America's farmers.

🆘 Then we'll discuss the intersections between philanthropy and policy with a focus on the challenges rural-serving nonprofits are facing in their fight to have the FREEDOM TO GIVE.

🧩 If there is a connection to rural, there's a connection to policy and that means we're having conversations with experts who have the facts...because nothing less is acceptable.

Join our community. Subscribe to stay connected. Explore partnerships to expand your rural reach.

30/09/2025

Today is a particularly appropriate time to draw attention to the benefits of staying cool, especially on policy issues that generate heated debate. As our guest, Brooks Williams, explains in our latest episode, "If we want something that any of our children can recognize as we move forward, then something has to change because as outrage wins, hate begins to take over, logic is no longer important. Facts are no longer relevant. Fury is what becomes the most important and primary dominator in every single conversation and interaction, and people lose at the end of the day."

Listen. Share. Join the Conversation: https://tinyurl.com/mrex9cyy

A special thanks to our partners at National Association of Rural Health Clinics.

25/09/2025

Partner Alert! ⚠️What happens in Reno...well, you're going to have to find out for yourselves when you attend the National Association of Rural Health Clinics Fall Institute!

Beginning October 20th, the two and a half day NARHC Fall Institute features a powerful in-person agenda plus three pre-conference webinars the week before, it’s your chance to engage deeply with the pressing issues facing Rural Health Clinics today.

With unmatched networking, and a throwback 90s Bash, you’ll leave energized and reconnected.

Registration closes the evening of October 19th, so don't wait! Head to narhc.org to register.

25/09/2025

You need not look any further than social media to witness the spectacle of outrage in public places. When it takes center stage at county and city government meetings, or at school and hospital board open sessions, it can—and often does—lead to policy decisions that are detrimental to those the targeted bodies are elected or appointed to serve.

In today's episode, Michelle Rathman-Batschke sat down with the City Manager of Ferris, Texas, and the author of "Performative Outrage - How Manufactured Fury Undermines Local Government And Public Service," to discuss how the rise of outrage behavior is harming local governments, strategies to grow civility, and how doing so creates communities of transparency and trust.
Listen. Share. Join the Conversation.
https://tinyurl.com/mrex9cyy

25/09/2025

New episode drops TODAY

Subscribe wherever you get your podcast fix and it will be in your feed when it drops. AND ICYMI our latest, listen to Michelle Rathman-Batschke's conversation with former HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson and CEO of HCC Network, Tonianne Richard about policies that will have a heavy impact rural health organizations and patients, and a dose of reality on the matter of the Rural Health Transformation Fund
Watch it here! https://youtu.be/xcmrfPZsbpw

23/09/2025

This week, Michelle Rathman-Batschke sat down with Brooks Williams, MPA, and they talked about manufactured fury and the impact on local government and public service. The two explore strategies to help leaders create spaces for community members to better understand their local government and Brooks shares how the city he manages promotes civic education that leads to productive community engagement.

We think it's a good time to get into it, and gain something from this conversation.

You're welcome to join us! Add us to your Library & Feed. Thursdays.

20/09/2025

💡Do a news search using these keywords: "Rural America Policy" to get a sense of the policy impact.

🎧to our latest episode to learn how policy decisions coming down from HHS (HRSA, CDC, CMS) are impacting access to health care in rural America.

🚪Join our community and the conversations that help connect the dots between policy and rural quality of life.

https://www.TheRuralImpact.com.

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