The Rural Impact

24/06/2025

In our special "Candid Conversation" roundtable with Christopher Jones, and fellow Democrats People's Cabinet members, Will Westmoreland Russ Carnahan and Jane Fleming Kleeb Michelle Rathman-Batschke facilitated a wide-ranging discussion on multiple issues of rural importance, one of which is the push for privatization of everything, including education, and the negative impacts on rural people, communities and resources. Here's a clip. Watch the entire episode on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform. https://bit.ly/4nj1rsi

20/06/2025

Continue the conversation from the 2025 Rural Summit!

Join RuralTogether for a virtual book talk with Luke Shaefer, coauthor of The Injustice of Place and one of this year's Summit keynote speakers.

We’ll dig deeper into the book’s themes — rural poverty, injustice, and the path toward hope — and open the floor for your questions.

🗓️ Monday, June 23, 2025
🕛 12:00 PM ET
🎁 Two attendees will win a free copy of the book!

Whether you joined us at or are just discovering Luke’s work, this event offers a powerful mix of research, storytelling, and real-world solutions.

Learn more and register: ruraltogether.circle.so/c/community-events/author-book-discussion-the-injustice-of-place-uncovering-the-legacy-of-poverty-in-america-co-author-luke-schaefer

19/06/2025

Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association, called the proposed Medicaid cuts "an alarming attack on the already fragile financial health of our hospitals."

19/06/2025

NEW EPISODE- Candid Conversation! Michelle was joined by four members of the Democrats People's Cabinet: Jane Fleming Kleeb, Will Westmoreland, Christopher Jones, Russ Carnahan - for a wide-ranging conversation about the Trump administration's policy impacts on rural America and to discuss the Democrats' strategy for engaging and re-engaging rural voters.

Thanks to listeners who sent in questions in advance of recording this episode and a reminder that we aim to connect the dots between policy and rural quality of life.

Download. Subscribe. Listen. Share and Join the Conversation: https://tinyurl.com/2zf5byh8

19/06/2025

The Rural Impact is proud to partner with The American Heart Association to bring equitable care to all. We are amplifying efforts to close the rural and urban hospital care gap, and calling rural hospital leaders to check out the Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator initiative and explore how your facility can participate at NO COST.

In case you missed our episode dedicated to this outstanding rural health initiative, you can find it here: https://tinyurl.com/mvrfb7c

Inspired to make an impact like Kallie and Cox Monett Hospital in your own community? DON'T WAIT! The deadline to apply is June 30th. Visit heart.org/ruralaccelerator for details.

11/06/2025

Where's our creator and host, Michelle Rathman-Batschke? She's on the road in Nebraska! Tonight, she is thrilled to join Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation for their annual meeting for a wide-ranging conversation about rural thriving.

06/06/2025

Dot Connecting Friday: The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate of high-income countries...

More than 80% of maternal deaths are preventable...

Nationally 23.3% of women of childbearing age in rural areas are covered by Medicaid...

The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act was introduced in the 117th and 118th Congress, however it was not taken up by 119th...

With a new state option passed by Congress in 2021, several states are taking up their own "Momnibus" bills, some have made progress. but...

✂️Cuts to Medicaid will hinder state's efforts to improve maternal health...

With the "Big Beautiful Bill" in the hands of the Senate, it's important to understand the impact of any Medicaid cuts on maternal and infant health across all of America, but for rural, a mix of 🏥hospital closures, and other disparity gaps widening, the bigger picture is not good.

Michelle Rathman-Batschke sat down with Joan Alker McCourt School of Public Policy - Georgetown University to talk about Medicaid and Maternal Health. Hear what Joan says is missing from the conversation!

Listen. Don't forget to subscribe. https://tinyurl.com/5cyex6aa

05/06/2025

At the heart of rural health care are organizations that invest in creating programs to support better patient outcomes. The American Heart Association's Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator is a 3-year initiative designed to eliminate rural health disparities by helping hospitals and clinicians provide high-quality, evidence-based care.

In this special "What's your Impact?" episode, Michelle sat down with Mindy Cook from the American Heart Association and Kallie Provost from Cox Monett Hospital to explore how the program and resources are working to improve health outcomes for coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke. Listen and learn how Critical Access Hospitals can STILL register. The deadline is June 30th!

https://tinyurl.com/mvrfb7c

04/06/2025

Share your voice. Learn how!
https://tinyurl.com/383wx9h6

04/06/2025

We have a new episode dropping AGAIN this week, and we are also recording an event that you will not want to miss. Sneak preview! Submit your questions, check it out.

Join us for a powerful and timely episode of The Rural Impact, where we dive into the real-world consequences of policy decisions on rural America. This candid conversation will unpack the impact of Trump-era policies on rural communities and explore how the Democratic Party is working to reengage a...

02/06/2025

Nearly 3 million people live sicker and die earlier on average in more than 200 counties nationwide, according to a KFF Health News News analysis. Michelle Rathman-Batschke sat down with Sarah Jane Tribble and Caresse Jackman from InvestigateTV as the two partnered to tell the stories of residents whose healthcare falls into the gap. We also hear from NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association's Josh Siedemann to learn about how family-owned and local providers are working to expand broadband access to rural communities and break down some of the challenges to achieving connectivity. https://tinyurl.com/3hj6mshy