Policy Updates and Issue News April 2016

Rural Issues

Lifeline Telephone Reform Harmful

The Lifeline Program is a federal initiative that provides discounted low volume landline or wireless phone service to low income households.  The National Grange is strongly urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to rethink and revise a reform proposal that would eliminate wireless Lifeline telephone service.  The FCC proposal would shift the federal Lifeline program to broadband.  The problem is that half of those living in rural areas either do not have broadband available or can’t access broadband at speeds high enough for timely transmission in an emergency.  That fact is not expected to change much in the foreseeable future.  National Grange President Betsy Huber wrote FCC Secretary Dortch explaining this real-world disconnect and urged the FCC to revise the proposal to allow for continued Lifeline wireless phone use.  Huber also penned op-eds that were picked up in the Washington Times, Agri-Pulse (the nation’s most read daily food and ag e-newsletter) and Morning Consult (a daily e-newsletter for the corporate and business world).

Secure Rural Schools

The Secure Rural Schools program provides assistance to rural counties and school districts affected by the decline in revenue from timber harvests on federal lands.  Historically, rural communities and schools relied on a share of timber harvest receipts to supplement local funding for educational services and roads but federal policies have substantially reduced timber harvest in recent years.  The original authorizing legislation, Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, expired in September, 2015 and must be reauthorized by Congress.  In the meantime, USDA through the Forrest Service has allocated $272 million to 41 states and Puerto Rico for FY’16.

Legal Issues

 Supreme Court Agrees to Review Case Supported by Grange Amicus

In January, the National Grange, along with the National Black Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Leadership Fund, filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court to review the ruling and remedies imposed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in the high profile Apple vs. Samsung case over design patent infringement of certain smartphones. The Grange argued that damages awarded to Apple by the lower court were equal to total profits for each infringing device, which would seriously impede innovation and become an incentive for troll-like litigation looking to take advantage of a quick payday. In support of our position, National Grange Executive Committee member Leroy Watson penned an opinion piece in the Washington Examiner urging the Court to review the case. The Court agreed to review the case and will hear arguments this fall.

Food Issues

GMO Labeling Controversy

The House of Representative s several months ago passed voluntary labeling legislation to preempt all state legislation requiring genetically modified ingredient labeling on food.  The Senate failed to muster the 60 vote majority required to pass the preemption legislation. Unless Congress passes a uniform national labeling standard by July 2016, a Vermont law will go into effect mandating GMO labeling.  New bills in Massachusetts and Rhode Island largely mirror the Vermont law while legislation in Connecticut would remove the trigger provisions in existing law that require at least four other states to enact a similar measure before the statute can go into effect.  All three efforts have broad support in their respective legislatures.  In the meantime, ConAgra Foods, Campbell Soup, General Mills and Kellogg have announced they will begin labeling GMO ingredient food throughout the country.  Some advocates of labeling do so because they support the consumer’s right to know.  Others however, are using the current labeling chaos to gain a marketing advantage.  Those who are concerned about future world hunger fear the labeling controversy may stifle innovation necessary to feed the hungry populations in developing countries.  Congress will scramble to reach some kind of compromise over the next several months but July is fast approaching.

Bus Stop Farmers Markets

Following in the footsteps of food trucks, those mobile fast food stands parked along city streets at noon, mobile farm stands are beginning to show up in so-called “food deserts”.  These low-income neighborhoods have plenty of quickie marts and liquor stores but lack full service grocery stores with fruits, vegetables and other fresh foods.  These mobile markets show up at bus stops and transit stations in low-income neighborhoods with fresh goods typically at discounted prices.

Land Issues

Farmers May Lose 600,000 acres in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

The Supreme Court has allowed the EPA to proceed with its Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan for the entire 64,000 square-mile Chesapeake Bay watershed.  As a result, the EPA estimates 600,000 acres of cropland in the Bay watershed will need to come out of production.  Land use decisions are typically the prerogative of state and local governments.  However, the TMDL plan allows the federal bureaucracy to overrule these local decisions.  With this ruling, the Supreme Court has cleared the way for EPA to apply the Bay TMDL plan to other major watersheds, including the Mississippi River watershed.

Health Issues

Opioid Use Epidemic

Rural communities are experiencing fast-growing problems of opioid and heroin abuse at higher rates than urban communities.  Agriculture Secretary Vilsack will lead a federal interagency task force charged with helping rural towns and organizations meet this challenge head-on.  Over the next several months, Vilsack will travel to meet with local leadership to better understand how his task force can further support their efforts.  The National Grange has notified the White House Rural Council of its willingness to help however it can.

Medical Treatment Challenges

• National Grange cosigned a letter to Medicare Payment Advisory Commission Chairman Crossman urging the Commission to reject proposals change patient out-of-pocket costs and increase copays for low-income beneficiaries under the Medicare prescription drug benefit

(Part D)

• National Grange cosigned a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Burwell  expressing concern with a proposed Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model that would cut Part B payments  in several geographic regions that could adversely affect the care and treatment of patients with cancer, muscular degeneration, hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis.
• National Grange cosigned a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Slavitt highlighting the cuts to Medicare Advantage from 2014 through 2016 and expressing concerns about the consequences of further cuts in 2017. The comprehensive disease management program and care coordination services provided through Medicare Advantage help millions of seniors with disabilities manage their often complex and myriad health problems.

National Grange cosigned a letter to the bipartisan cosponsors in the House and Senate to support of their Small Business Healthcare Relief Act (S.1697 & H.R.2911).  The bills would allow small businesses to provide Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) to employees with health insurance.  These HRAs would permit businesses to offer pre-tax dollars to insured employees to help pay premiums and other out-of-pocket medical costs.