In this power-hour conversation, Michelle begins by welcoming returning guest expert Joan Alker, Executive Director and Co-founder of the Center for Children and Families.  Joan shares recent research focused on understanding the impact of the increasing uninsured rate for young children and the two explore the significance of health insurance for children under six, including regular checkups and developmental screenings, trends in uninsured rates from 2022 to 2024, with a focus on the sharp increase among young children, the impact of Medicaid enrollment declines since 2025, including real-time data on a 2 million decrease in coverage, disparities in uninsured rates, emphasizing rural communities and racial/ethnic differences, the broader economic and social consequences of children losing health coverage, challenges posed by recent federal policy shifts, such as work reporting requirements and cuts affecting rural health providers. Breaking it down further, Joan provides specific state-level concerns, with Texas, North Dakota, and others showing notably high uninsured rates. 

After a short break, Michelle welcomes back to the podcast former U.S. Senator from North Dakota, Heidi Heitkamp, and the two shift the conversation to discuss the progress of the 2026 Farm Bill, the importance of civic engagement, and the urgent need for transparent, bipartisan approaches to support farmers, rural communities, and land preservation.

Heitkamp also discusses the rise in farm bankruptcies and economic challenges, Federal aid gaps and their impact on disaster recovery, the urgency of preserving public lands, and concerns about data centers and land-use conflicts.  The two end their conversation by discussing the importance of civic engagement and practical ways for rural constituents to participate in advocating for sound rural policy.

Resources:
https://ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/06/01/uninsurance-among-youngest-children-on-the-rise-as-families-face-growing-economic-pressure/

https://onecountryproject.com/about/

In this episode of The Rural Impact, Views from the Field: Farm Bill 2026, host Michelle Rathman speaks with Senior Legislative Director of the National Association of Counties Blaire Bryant and Commissioner Dakkia Bradshaw, from Telfair County Georgia, about the growing challenges facing rural communities as federal policies reshape healthcare and nutrition programs. Bryant outlines the realities of rural healthcare, including hospital closures, provider shortages, ambulance deserts, and financial pressures that threaten access to care. The discussion also explores how changes to Medicaid and the Rural Health Transformation Program may affect counties nationwide.

Commissioner Bradshaw shares the perspective of a rural county leader working to improve healthcare access and broadband connectivity in her community. She explains why reliable internet service is essential for telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and attracting healthcare resources to underserved areas. Together, the guests discuss the future of SNAP benefits, the impact of food insecurity on community health, and the importance of ensuring rural voices are included in policy decisions that affect rural residents.

In Part Two, Michelle is joined by Bruno Sabatier, Board Supervisor for Lake County, California, to examine how rural counties are responding to mounting pressures in healthcare, behavioral health, housing, and access to nutrition. Sabatier discusses the rise in mental health and substance use challenges since the pandemic, as well as the growing demand for food assistance programs and social services.

The conversation explores how proposed changes to Medicaid and SNAP could impact rural residents and create additional administrative and financial burdens for counties already facing workforce shortages. Sabatier also highlights efforts underway in Lake County to address homelessness through transitional housing, veteran housing initiatives, and strong community partnerships.

The episode concludes with a call for greater civic engagement, encouraging local leaders and residents alike to work together to advocate for policies that strengthen rural communities and improve quality of life.

In this solo Memorial Day and early summer episode of The Rural Impact, host Michelle Rathman shares reflections from the road while attending the National Rural Health Association Annual Meeting and previews several major policy conversations the podcast will continue exploring throughout 2026 and into 2027. Michelle discusses the expansion of the podcast’s “Tracking Transformation” series, examining rural health transformation funding, as well as upcoming conversations focused on the Farm Bill, federal education policy, election administration in rural counties, and how policy decisions continue shaping everyday life across rural America.

The episode also explores concerns surrounding the rapid expansion of data centers in rural communities and the strain some projects are placing on local water resources. Michelle reflects on the importance of balancing technological growth with environmental stewardship while protecting public lands and access to clean water in rural regions. She also discusses ongoing concerns surrounding the United States Postal Service and the implications for rural communities that rely heavily on vote-by-mail systems and dependable postal infrastructure. Throughout the conversation, Michelle reinforces how policy decisions directly impact healthcare access, infrastructure, civic participation, and overall quality of life.

A significant portion of the episode focuses on Medicaid work requirements and the potential consequences for rural healthcare systems. Michelle discusses Nebraska becoming the first state to implement Medicaid work requirements under H.R.1 and explains why healthcare experts believe many coverage losses will result from administrative reporting barriers rather than unemployment itself. Referencing lessons learned from Arkansas, she highlights how working individuals previously lost healthcare coverage because they were unable to successfully navigate reporting systems. Michelle closes the episode by reminding listeners that “all roads to quality of life are paved by policy” and encourages audiences to stay informed, engaged, and connected through future episodes of The Rural Impact and resources available at The Rural Impact.