Good afternoon,
Americans and others around the world are still finding their footing after the news of the <a href='[link removed]'>United States bombing Iran's nuclear facilities</a> broke over the weekend. Reactions were varied with more criticism coming from Iraq and Qatar governments while Israel showed support. Countries in Europe seem to be taking a more cautious approach to their response. According to a recent <a href='[link removed]'>Reuters/Ipsos poll</a>, nearly 80% of Americans are concerned about the unfolding conflict between the U.S. and Iran and worry tensions could escalate.
Yesterday afternoon, Iran '<a href='[link removed]'>launched a missile attack on an American base in Qatar, the largest American military installation in the Middle East</a>.' However, in the evening, the president <a href='[link removed]'>announced a ceasefire</a> between Iran and Israel. The deal still seems fragile. At a time when America's future is already uncertain, the last thing people need is more chaos and instability. The actions of President Donald Trump show the extreme, reckless gambles he is willing to take and reinforces his unpredictable nature. The whole world is watching the United States and this latest Trump-tastrophe unravel.
Here are a few important updates...
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS BOTCHING BEAD
Once again, the Trump administration is throwing rural America for a loop. As part of the administration's reworking of the federal government, '<a href='[link removed]'>the Commerce Department, which runs the massive Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, announced new rules in early June requiring states – some of which were ready to begin construction later this year – to solicit new bids from internet service providers</a>.' Millions of rural Americans will remain isolated in areas that lack access to services like health care or telehealth as a result of this delay. The main goal of the BEAD program, implemented under former President Joe Biden, is to expand high-speed internet across the country, especially for rural America.
According to a KFF Health News investigation, <a href='[link removed]'>nearly 3 million</a> people live in mostly rural counties without access to broadband, primary care, and behavioral health care providers. Before the Commerce Department switched gears on the American people, over 40 states had already started the process of selecting high-speed internet providers to fill critical gaps in under-resourced areas. Plain and simple, the Trump administration is botching BEAD and it will negatively impact folks in rural America. So much for Making America Healthy Again.
RFK JR. AND DR. OZ ANNOUNCE CHANGE IS COMING TO AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM
Yesterday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz <a href='[link removed]'>held a news conference</a> to discuss changes coming to our country's health insurance. One of the main changes will be to the <a href='[link removed]'>prior reauthorization process</a>, which requires providers to obtain approval from a patient's insurance company before providing specific care or treatments. CNBC reports that 'insurers such as CVS Health, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna will implement the changes across commercial plans and certain Medicare and Medicaid plans, benefiting 257 million Americans.'
After dragging their feet on promised changes to America's health care system, the leadership of America's Doctor and our nation's well-known anti-vaxxer will finally be put to the test. While these changes appear to be a step in the right direction, our country's health care system is very complicated, making it hard to believe that streamlining it will alleviate all the issues that still face many Americans in need of accessing care at an affordable price. For now, we will watch this process with a wary eye, knowing that any potential changes will be voluntary. It is also worth remembering this is not the first time insurance companies have made pledges to improve efficiency and reduce patient wait times for procedures.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
<a href='[link removed]'>3.8 million</a>: This is roughly the number of LGBT people who live in rural America, with about 10% of youth identifying as LGBT. According to a 2019 Movement Advancement Project report, rural youth were just as likely as urban youth to identify as LGBT. However, rural LGBT youth report a higher likelihood of suicidal ideation. With the Trump Administration defunding the suicide prevention hotline for LGBT youth, the mental health impact in rural America could be dire.
2025 RURAL PROGRESS SUMMIT
This summer you can join One Country Project board members, influential speakers, policy experts, national leaders, and rural advocates for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit July 8th - 10th. The keynote conversation will feature Sec. Pete Buttigieg in a virtual fireside chat with Sen. Heitkamp. As a former Transportation Secretary and small city mayor, Pete Buttigieg has the ability to speak knowledgeably and clearly about the biggest issues facing our country.The Rural Progress Summit explores ideas and policies that will shape the future of rural America.
Details:
What: One Country Project Rural Progress Summit
When: Tuesday, July 8th – Thursday, July 10th, 2025
Where: Online, hosted on Zoom
<a href='[link removed]'>Register now
</a>
LOOKING AHEAD
Wednesday, June 25th – 2:00pm ET- House Committee on Ways and Means Hearing: Joint Hearing with the Commissioner of Social Security, Frank J. Bisignano.Wednesday, June 25th – 2:30pm ET- Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Hearing: To examine the nomination of William Kirkland, of Georgia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior.Wednesday, June 25th – 4:00pm ET- Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Hearing: To examine correcting mismanagement of the veteran's crisis line.Thursday, June 26th – 10:00am ET- House Committee on Natural Resources Oversight Hearing: Fix Our Forests: Advancing Innovative Technologies to Improve Forest Management and Prevent Wildfires.Thursday, June 26th – 10:00am ET- House Committee on Agriculture Hearing: A Review of the U.S. Grain Standards Act.
WHAT WE'RE READING
The Daily Yonder: <a href='[link removed]'>Trump's Tariffs Will Hurt Rural Healthcare Centers and Medical Suppliers, Experts Warn</a>
Public News Service: <a href='[link removed]'>SD Foodbank: We're Stretched Too Thin to Absorb SNAP Cuts</a>
Civil Eats: <a href='[link removed]'>Conservation Work on Farms and Ranches Coud Take a Hit as USDA Cuts Staff</a>High Planes Journal: <a href='[link removed]'>BEAD Program Changes Trigger Alarm Bells and Protests</a>
NPR: <a href='[link removed]'>In This Rural Colorado Valley, Cuts to Medicaid Would Have Vast Ripple Effects</a>
CBS News: <a href='[link removed]'>From AOC to Bloomberg, Here Are Some Key Endorsements in the NYC Mayoral Democratic Primary Election</a>
Washington Examiner: <a href='[link removed]'>GOP Medicaid Cuts Would Shutter Third of Rural Hospitals as Some Lawmakers Shrug: 'Hold Your Nose'</a>
NPR: <a href='[link removed]'>The Trump Administration is Making an Unprecedented Reach for Data Held by the States</a>
Oregon Capitol Chronicle: <a href='[link removed]'>U.S. Senate Passes Bill to Reauthorize Funding for Rural Oregon, Idaho Schools</a>
Be sure to follow the One Country Project on <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Bluesky</a>, <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Twitter</a>, <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Facebook</a> and <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Substack</a>, and listen to <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>The Hot Dish</a> podcast.
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