Policy Updates and Issue News February 2019

Farm Bill Implementation

Despite the recent 35-day government shutdown that halted work on the new farm bill, USDA is about ready to announce the timeline for implementing revisions to programs.  The legislation made relatively small changes to the 2014 farm bill and is generally considered “farmer friendly” by producers.  At the farm bill listening session in Washington February 26, USDA was pressed to act quickly on dairy and conservation provisions.  The Farm Service Agency expects Dairy Margin Coverage signup to begin June 17 with payments starting as soon as July 8.

Protein Demand

The demand for plant and animal protein food products shows no sign of letting up.  With steadily rising incomes, especially in developing countries, consumers appear to want more and more protein-laden foods.  Trend-watchers are betting on robust growth in production and consumption both in the U.S. and worldwide.  These pundits also look for a spectrum of cultural diets, nutrition and health concerns, and animal welfare to continue their mixed influences on demand for high-protein foods.

Support for Wildlife Services

The National Grange joined over 200 farmer and rancher, landowner, hunter, aviation, wildlife management and state government groups to support continued funding for USDA’s Wildlife Services.  The groups gave examples to the House Appropriations Committee leadership of the need for an effective Wildlife Services presence where wildlife control is necessary.  Wildlife damage to fruits, vegetables, crops and livestock has reached almost $1 billion annually.  The spread of wildlife-borne disease to humans, livestock and other wildlife is a growing concern.

Food Stamps in Limelight Again

Just two months after the farm bill food stamp/SNAP debate was settled, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report shows that at least $1 billion in food stamp benefits are fraudulently used.  GAO found many stores were “selling” cash instead of food.  For example, a store might give a person $50 in exchange for $100 in benefits then pocket the difference.  GAO has given the Food and Nutrition Service which administers the program several concrete recommendations to crack down on SNAP fraud.

EPA Pushing States to Address Nutrient Problems

The Environmental Protection Agency is asking states to tackle nutrient contamination in water which has become an increasingly visible issue in farm country.  EPA and USDA are seeking input from states on water quality solutions to mitigate excess nitrogen, phosphorous and nutrients from livestock manure.

Bipartisan Support for Major Land Conservation Bill

By a bipartisan vote of 363-62 the House has approved sweeping public lands legislation that designates more than a million acres of wilderness for environmental protection (prohibits all development and the use of most motorized vehicles), numerous conservation measures and permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund.  Under the Fund, fossil-fuel companies, rather than taxpayers, cover a major portion of protecting public lands.

Revised Definition of “Waters of the United States”

The EPA and Corps of Engineers are inviting public comment on a proposed rule to more closely define the scope of waters federally regulated under the Clean Water Act.  The agencies propose to interpret the term “waters of the United States” to encompass traditional navigable waters, tributaries that that contribute perennial or intermittent flow to such waters, certain ditches, certain lakes and ponds, and wetlands adjacent to other jurisdictional waters.   The agencies propose as a baseline concept that all waters are not “waters of the United States”.  Farmers, ranchers, landowners and many others see the proposal as a major improvement over the original WOTUS rule.

Concerns About Imported Drugs

The National Grange is leading a nationwide coalition to raise concern about federal and state initiatives to import prescription drugs.  Grangers depend upon accessible, affordable, effective and safe prescription drugs.  Cheaper prescription drugs delivered by mail from Canada seem like a perfect answer to their needs, right?  No, not really.  Counterfeit and possibly dangerous drugs via this route are a distinct possibility.  The Grange is particularly concerned about the safety and effectiveness of counterfeit drugs produced in third world countries and transshipped through multiple other countries before they reach American patients.  To make matters worse, Canada says it has no regulatory responsibility to assure the safety and effectiveness of these transshipped prescription drugs coming into America.

Give Drug Rebates Directly to Patients

HHS Secretary Azar has proposed a major change to the drug purchasing and rebate system.  His plan calls for prescription drug discounts by drug makers to be offered directly to patients instead of insurance plans and pharmacy benefit managers.  National Grange President Betsy Huber issued a statement stressing that the proposed rule gets the middlemen out of the way and will lower prescription drug costs for those with chronic conditions.  “We look forward to working with Secretary Azar and his team to assure rural America actually does see lower drug costs and does receive better access to treatment.” 

Public Wary of “Medicare for All”

According to a Hill-HarrisX poll released in February, just thirteen percent of respondents want “Medicare for all” if it means the end of private insurance.   Respondents were clearly saying the health care system is broken to some degree but there was not consensus around how to fix it.  Health care policy is proving to be challenging for both political parties.

Private Care Proposed for Vets

The Department of Veterans Affairs has released proposals to determine whether a veteran gets treatment from the VA or the private sector.  Under the “designated access standards” proposal, the VA wants to set a 30-minute drive time standard, or a 20-day wait-time standard for primary care, mental health and non-institutional extended care.  This proposal is in line with National Grange policy and is an important step for rural and small town veterans who may be located long distances from VA facilities.

The dire need for agricultural labor is beginning to get more attention in Washington.  USDA continues to work on a plan to allow farmers to apply for H-2A foreign labor through USDA rather than the Department of Labor.  California’s Representative Jimmy Panetta and Senator Diane Feinstein have co-sponsored a “Blue Card” bill to provide agriculture a more stable workforce which provides a pathway to citizenship.  The National Grange works closely with the Ag Workforce Coalition which is pushing for:

• An available, dependable and legal ag labor supply
• A “Card” that allows workers to enter the country legally to work in agriculture
• Modification of the H-2A program to be more timely, more responsive and less burdensome.
• Creation of a program to allow trained and skilled ag workers (milkers, machinery operators, animal care workers, managers, etc.) to stay longer.

The National Grange joined 240 cosigner members of the Rebuild Rural Coalition on a letter to Senate and House leadership encouraging Congress to move quickly to pass bipartisan legislation to strengthen our nation’s infrastructure.  The letter highlighted rural broadband expansion, safe drinking water, reliable roads, bridges, inland waterways, ports, railroads, rural health care and more.

A new internet privacy law with a single, uniform standard for the internet will provide clarity for millions of online users who value their privacy, according to National Grange President Betsy Huber in an editorial in the February 13 Morning Consult.  Lawmakers across party lines recognize the need to give internet users better protections to oversee companies that collect and use their personal online information.  Congressional action on a uniform privacy standard for all internet companies should come quickly.  Already this issue is percolating in state legislatures and individual state action could lead to continued confusion among consumers as they engage in daily online activities.

Rural Broadband Providers Get More Time to Apply.

USDA has given telecommunications companies until late May to apply for its Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program.  Congress has awarded $1.1 billion for the pilot. These investments are expected to prioritize projects that deploy broadband infrastructure to rural areas which will expand both the availability and speed of rural broadband service.