Policy Updates and Issue News July 2020
| National Grange Submits Platform Statements |
||||||||||||||||||
|
In preparation for the public policy platforms to be considered at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, the National Grange submitted policy statements to the members of both parties’ platform committees. The Grange emphasized several of its top policy priorities including emergency access to rural broadband connectivity and access to rural health care. The statements emphasized the urgent need to create Wi-Fi hotspots in rural areas and small towns to deliver distance learning, telehealth and telebusiness to country crossroads, parking lots and buildings in common locations as the second wave of COVID-19 sweeps more remote areas of the country. The Grange also called attention to rapidly disappearing health care service as rural hospitals and clinics continue to close and offered several recommendations for platform consideration.
|
||||||||||||||||||
| Agriculture and Food |
||||||||||||||||||
Dietary Guidelines Report Mostly PositiveThe Dietary Guidelines for Americans is issued every five years and is used by nutritionists, physicians, dieticians and other health professionals to advise the public about healthy eating. A committee of experts is appointed jointly by USDA and HHS to craft these recommendations based upon the best science and research available. The committee has finished its work and the report has been submitted to the Secretaries of USDA and HHS for public comment, review, revision and adoption. At times in the past, the Guidelines seemed to unscientifically disparage foods of animal origin. This time the report appears to generally follow sound science and recommend diets include dairy products and animal protein. One area supported by recent research but not included in the report is the value of whole milk in the diet of young and school age children. As a result, the National Grange has submitted comments urging USDA and HHS to return whole milk to the national school lunch program.
Demand for Local Meat Processing GrowsDuring the first wave of COVID-19 last winter and spring, meat counters were bare but livestock and poultry supplies backed up on farms and ranches and retail prices to consumers skyrocketed. This sparked renewed calls for further revisions to meat and poultry inspection laws to allow state inspected meat from small local plants to be sold to consumers, restaurants and grocery stores as well as be sold across state lines. More and more lawmakers on the Hill are introducing bills to make that happen. USDA says it is well aware of this surging demand and is “committed to working with stakeholders to balance food safety with these growing consumer preferences.” National Grange policy strongly supports state inspection, local processing and sale direct to consumers
Food Insecurity GrowsThe percentage of American households considered food insecure has surged to levels higher than during the Great Depression. Northwestern University analyzes weekly Census Bureau surveys and has found that Black and Hispanic households with children are nearly twice as likely to be struggling with food as similar white families. These high levels of food insecurity don’t seem to be improving as states reopen. This trend is fueling calls from Democrats on the Hill for an increase in food stamp benefits in the next coronavirus aid package. At the same time, food banks say their biggest challenge has been the loss of volunteers. The majority of pre-pandemic volunteers were older adults. USDA has decided to extend several school lunch and nutrition programs through the new school year. These include more flexibility with meal patterns, group-setting requirements, meal service times, and the freedom to operate in ways that fit their local, on-the-ground situations.
|
||||||||||||||||||
| Conservation and Environment |
||||||||||||||||||
|
The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis has released a 547-page report which could serve as a blueprint for Democrats should they gain control of Congress and the White House in November. Their Climate Crisis Action Plan calls for net-zero greenhouse emissions in the United States by 2050 and underscores a big role for agriculture conservation. It calls for greatly increased funding for working lands conservation programs, a reduction in agricultural emissions (nutrient management, rotational grazing, etc.), support for next-generation farmers, increased technical assistance to farmers, support for renewable energy, preserving farmland from development and reduced food waste.
|
||||||||||||||||||
| Coronavirus Relief |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Back in May, the House passed its $3.2 trillion HEROES Act without Republican support which continues funding most current aid programs and adds scores of new relief areas. The Senate chose to wait and see what programs are no longer needed, what changes are needed to certain programs and time to assess new program proposals. Senate Republican leadership has been working on their relief package since June and released their HEALS Act to colleagues on July 27 without Democratic support. Highlights of the Senate GOP HEALS Act are:
It is important to note that the HEROES Act and the HEALS Act must be reconciled and passed by the Senate and House with agreement from the White House to prevent a veto.
The National Grange and several agricultural groups are lobbying to make Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) eligibility for 501(c)(5) agricultural organizations part of the final package, arguing that strong viable organizations are necessary to help agriculture sector recovery. The National Grange and over 200 farm and business groups urged Senate and House leadership to include a provision in the final package to ensure small businesses can deduct eligible expenses paid with a forgiven Paycheck Protection Program loan from their taxes.
|
||||||||||||||||||
| Health Care |
||||||||||||||||||
Cancer Cell Therapy Takes a Step ForwardThe National Grange sent a letter of appreciation to the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for issuing a proposed rule to advance cancer therapy. The proposal will sufficiently compensate hospitals for CAR T cancer cell therapy to Medicare beneficiaries. That means more facilities in more locations will be able to provide access to this procedure for rural and small town patients. Previously, the Grange sent a letter to the Congressional Rural Caucus asking for their support to ensure CMS would initiate a process for wider geographical access. A follow up letter of appreciation was sent to the Caucus.
Copay Assistance is ImportantCopay coupon assistance programs from drug manufacturers are critical support for people with serious illnesses, chronic conditions and disabilities to secure prescription medicines. The National Grange joined over 100 patient groups on a letter to the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to express concern with a proposed rule that would require drug manufacturers to include the value of cost-sharing assistance when calculating the best drug price. Many patients rely on these programs and the fear is the proposal could cause manufacturers to discontinue offering patient assistance programs.
Drug Affordability in VirginiaAs Virginia’s Prescription Drug Affordability Work Group begins work, the National Grange and several patient groups recommended steps to the Virginia legislature to limit out-of-pocket cost exposure. These include:
Reconsider International Pricing IndexOn July 24 the President signed an Executive Order the National Grange fears will import price controls and restrictive health care systems from foreign countries. The Grange issued a statement urging the Administration to reconsider this proposal, saying there are better ways to cut drug costs (a high priority for the Grange). The fear is that the Index will not directly reduce out-of -pocket costs for patients but instead restrict patient access to essential treatments and medication.
|
||||||||||||||||||
| Telecommunications | ||||||||||||||||||
Digital Divide is a Top PriorityIn a recent interview with Washington newsletter Agri-Pulse, Federal Communications Chairman Pai reiterated that closing the digital divide is his top priority. The Commission is moving forward with its Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to build high-speed internet in underserved areas with speeds of no less than 25 megabits per second download and 3 megabits per second upload. The Chairman saluted the 785 companies that took the Keep Americans Connected pledge that waived internet fees and provided Wi-Fi hotspots during the pandemic lockdown.
Accurate Mapping Key to Closing Digital DivideAccurate maps showing unserved and underserved broadband areas are a must to closing the digital divide. The National Grange issued a statement urging Congress to fully fund the Broadband DATA Act which passed with strong bipartisan support earlier this year. The Act will provide more precise mapping data about broadband coverage of unserved and underserved communities.
National Suicide Prevention HotlineThe National Grange issued a statement commending the Federal Communications Commission for establishing the 988 National Suicide Prevention Hotline. The Grange said this easy to remember number will help individuals across America who are depressed and contemplating suicide. The suicide rate in Rural America is more than 30 percent higher than in urban areas, and our farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers suffer higher rates of suicide than nearly any other profession.
|
||||||||||||||||||
| Perspective | ||||||||||||||||||
|
