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Good afternoon,
Just a day after his Easter appearance, Pope Francis passed away at age 88. He led the Catholic Church for over 12 years and left a meaningful legacy of hope, humanity, and service to others. He was a true messenger of hope, leading with decency and empathy for others, especially the poor. The Pope embodied many of the values that One Country Project stands for. His legacy is a reminder that there is still work to be done to address the global challenges of today and lift up all communities around the world. Rest in Peace, Pope Francis.
In other news, President Donald Trump falsely claimed that grocery prices "are down" and are "going down." Contrary to these statements, grocery prices have continued to increase under Trump. Grocery prices were already rising before Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs added even more inflationary pressure to the grocery bill. According to Consumer Price Index data, "average grocery prices were about 2.41% higher in March 2025 than they were in 2024." Surprise, surprise, a Trump lie has been debunked once again.
Here are a few important updates...
THE SCARY REALITY OF RURAL HEALTHCARE TODAY
America's healthcare system has been under stress and pressure for a long time and the pandemic certainly did not help. Now, as we continue to endure the wrath of the Trump administration's leadership with RFK, Jr. in the driver's seat of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), rural hospitals are more vulnerable than ever. KFF Health News reports, "Five years after the World Health Organization declared COVID a global pandemic and the first Trump administration announced a national emergency, the United States faces a crucial shortage of medical providers, below the projected need for an aging population." The issue appears to be rooted in exhaustion and lack of retention efforts given that health workers have reported higher levels of burnout and poor mental health since the pandemic.
Another scary aspect of the reality of rural healthcare today is the loss of rural maternity care. According to a report from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform (CHQPR), more than 100 rural hospitals have stopped delivering babies or announced they will stop in 2025. Additionally, less than half of U.S. rural hospitals still offer labor and delivery services. The CHQPR report states "there is a higher risk of complications and death for both mothers and babies in communities that do not have local maternity care services."
Healthcare is critical for the wellbeing of all Americans, especially those in rural areas. The Trump administration and others in power need to get a grip and start addressing these urgent issues. If we don't start soon, lives will be endangered and in the worst cases, lost.
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Each week, this newsletter highlights what's going on in rural states, counties, and communities, and what One Country Project is up to around the country. If you value this content, please consider donating to One Country Project. Your contribution supports our efforts to connect with rural voters and to promote greater opportunities for rural communities.
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SOUND THE ALARM: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO ELIMINATE THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
The Trump administration is continuing its war path to overhaul the federal government with the latest target being the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Recently, current and former HHS employees obtained a Trump administration document that contained plans to eliminate the CPSC. CPSC works to save lives and keep families safe by reducing the unreasonable risk of injuries associated with consumer products. While the CPSC works to protect all Americans, its focus on protecting children has been particularly impactful. Crib fatalities decreased by nearly 80% from 1973 to 2019, largely thanks to CPSC's efforts.
The act of shuttering federal agencies with no proof of benefit or efficiency is unfortunately not a new trend with this administration. This plan is extremely concerning and irresponsible as it would subject all Americans, especially children, to preventable injury and death. Just last week, the Consumer Federation of America released a statement on the leaked plans, criticizing them for being "reckless" and "dismantling Americans' safety." If anything, families and children across the United States need and deserve more protection in times of instability like these. Plain and simple, this administration is letting us down and it's frustrating to watch.
TAKING THE TEMPERATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS THIS EARTH DAY
Happy Earth Day! Unfortunately, the Earth is not very happy these days with the current state of environmental regulations under attack thanks to the Trump administration. To ensure all Americans breathe clean air, drink safe water, and live healthy lives, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This legislation aims to expand access to clean and affordable energy, in addition to improving access to safe water. As the Center for American Progress reports, "Since taking office, the Trump administration has canceled funding for many of these programs – despite multiple court orders to reinstate them." President Trump is also planning to cut the Environmental Protection Agency's budget by 65%. Over the past few years, natural disasters have continued to tear through communities across the United States, from Hurricane Helene to the LA wildfires. Yet, no natural disaster has made Republicans take climate change and environmental protection seriously. Acknowledging climate change and embracing a clean energy future would unlock tremendous economic opportunity in rural America.
EGG-O-NOMICS WEEKLY
Despite American "retail egg prices remaining higher than normal," roughly 30,000 real eggs were used for the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday. As the future of egg prices remains uncertain, the use of real eggs at the event amid a bird flu outbreak seems a bit eggs-travagant. Nevertheless, tradition is tradition, right?
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
134,000: This is the number of residents by which rural counties in the United States grew from 2023 to 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of rural population growth and a reversal of a decades-long trend of decline.
- June 5, 2025 – The deadline for grant applications for the Market Access Program (MAP), Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program (TASC), and Emerging Markets Program (EMP). These programs help domestic producers find international markets.
WHAT WE'RE READING
Be sure to follow the One Country Project on Bluesky, Twitter, Facebook and Substack, and listen to The Hot Dish podcast.
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