The Rural Impact

Michelle Rathman
  • 5.0 (10)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A Podcast that Connects the Dots between Policy and Rural Everything.

  1. 5H AGO

    Michelle's May Matters

    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.

    17 min

  2. MAY 7

    Tracking Transformation: Federal Funding Forecast and States' Use of RHTP Funds with Maya Sandalow, Chris Nelson and Carrie Cochran-McClain

    In this episode of The Rural Impact, host Michelle Rathman continues the "Tracking Transformation" series with a closer look at how states are using Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to modernize rural healthcare through technology.  In part one, Michelle is joined by Maya Sandalow, Associate Director of the Bipartisan Policy Center, who discusses how investments in telehealth, remote patient monitoring, AI, and cybersecurity could reshape rural care delivery. Sandalow outlines key technology investment trends emerging from state RHTP plans and explains why infrastructure, implementation, and sustainability are critical to long-term transformation.  In part two, federal health policy expert Chris Nelson joins Michelle to discuss how states, particularly those working with indigenous populations and Veterans health services, are prioritizing technology and workforce investments through their RHTP plans. Nelson also highlights barriers to technology adoption and the growing urgency surrounding maternal healthcare access in rural America.  In the final segment, Michelle welcomes back Carrie Cochran-McClain, Chief Policy Officer for the National Rural Health Association, to discuss the policy landscape surrounding RHTP implementation. Carrie shares insight into the fast-moving rollout of funding and CMS accountability measures, as well as mounting concerns over looming Medicaid cuts and the financial pressures facing rural hospitals.   Because we're all about connecting the dots, the conversation also covers maternal health service closures, broadband investments, the Administration's FY27 federal budget proposal, and the ongoing push to advance the Farm Bill and other key rural health priorities.  RESOURCES: NRHA links: https://www.ruralhealth.us/nationalruralhealth/media/documents/advocacy/2026/fy-2027-approps-table-4-23-26.pdfhttps://www.ruralhealth.us/advocacy/advocacy-press-center/nrha-press-releasesReport: Sustaining Rural Hospital Access https://bipartisanpolicy.org/report/sustaining-rural-hospital-access-adjustments-to-medicare-rural-hospital-designations/https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-nelson-566392274/

    1h 17m

  3. APR 23

    The Precarious State of Public Education with Paige Shoemaker Demio and Dr. Steven L. Johnson

    In part one of this episode, The Precarious State of Public Education, host Michelle Rathman continues the series on the state of rural education with policy expert Paige Shoemaker DeMio. Paige is a Senior Policy Analyst for K-12 Education Policy at the Center for American Progress (CAP). Before joining CAP, she served as a secondary social studies teacher in Cleveland. As a former educator, she has a passion for developing education policies that will ensure an equitable education system in the United States.    Paige and Michelle explore how school voucher programs and broader “school choice” policies are disproportionately harming rural communities. Drawing on research from states like West Virginia, Indiana, and Vermont, Paige explains how these programs often redirect public funds to families already enrolled in private schools, leaving rural public schools with fewer resources despite fixed costs and limited local funding capacity. The discussion also highlights how these funding shifts contribute to school closures, reduced programming, and long-term impacts on rural communities where schools serve as economic and social anchors.    In part two, Dr. Steven L. Johnson, Superintendent in North Dakota, joins Michelle. Dr. Johnson is a member of the Executive Committee of the National Rural Education Association (NREA), where he co-chairs the Legislative Committee. With nearly 50 years in education, he has extensive experience in rural school leadership, policy, and district reorganization.   During their conversation, Dr. Johnson shares a ground-level perspective on how federal policy shifts and Department of Education disruptions are affecting rural districts in real time. He describes the operational chaos caused by delayed funding, staffing cuts, and loss of institutional knowledge, emphasizing how even small disruptions can destabilize already fragile rural systems.    The conversation broadens to include demographic decline, workforce challenges, and the importance of strategic adaptation, while also touching on interconnected issues like school meals and community sustainability. Dr. Johnson underscores the need for efficiency, direct funding, and practical solutions that prioritize students, reinforcing that rural schools must navigate uncertainty while remaining critical pillars of their communities.

    1h 1m

  4. APR 9

    Rural Counties Responding to Policy Shifts: The Impact of Civic Engagement with Hope Harmon, Paul Heimel and Chuck Marohn Jr.

    In part one of this episode of The Rural Impact, “Rural Counties Responding to Policy Shifts: The Impact of Civic Engagement,” Michelle speaks with two rural leaders navigating complex policy challenges: Commissioners Hope Harmon and Paul W. Heimel. Harmon, a County Commissioner in Ben Hill County, Georgia, champions education, healthcare, economic development, and public safety. Heimel, in his 19th year as a County Commissioner in Potter County, Pennsylvania, focuses on community and economic development amid population decline and an aging population, while also advancing work in criminal justice reform, healthcare, veterans’ affairs, and arts-driven revitalization. In Michelle’s conversation with Commissioners Harmon and Heimel, they explore the growing strain federal policy shifts are placing on rural counties, from reduced funding and rising service costs to workforce shortages, healthcare access challenges, and population decline. Both Commissioners share firsthand insights into how their communities are adapting through budget tightening, restructuring services, and emphasizing the importance of civic engagement. They highlight the critical role of community involvement, local leadership, and innovative approaches, such as partnerships, grassroots events, and arts initiatives, in sustaining and strengthening rural communities despite limited resources. In the second part of the episode, Michelle is joined by Charles “Chuck” Marohn Jr., Founder and President of Strong Towns, an organization focused on helping communities build financial resilience and long-term sustainability through bottom-up development strategies. In his segment, Chuck and Michelle discuss how traditional top-down economic development models have contributed to financial fragility in rural communities. He emphasizes the need for incremental, locally driven growth, smarter infrastructure investment, and rethinking housing and development patterns to better align with the realities of small towns. He also underscores the importance of focusing on local action, encouraging individuals to engage in their communities, rebuild civic infrastructure, and take practical steps to create stronger, more resilient places to live. GUESTS: Hope Harmon, Ben Hill County Commissioner Paul W. Heimel, Potter County Commissioner Charles “Chuck” Marohn, Jr, Founder and President of Strong Towns

    1h 5m

  5. MAR 26

    USPS Under Threat and the Impact on Rural with Elena Patel and Sarah Anderson

    In part one of this episode, USPS Under Threat and the Impact on Rural America, Elena Patel, Co-Director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, joins Michelle to break down the growing financial crisis facing the United States Postal Service. Elena shares insights from her recent research on the USPS funding model, explaining how the shift from letter mail to digital communication has disrupted a system that once sustained universal service. The conversation explores the Postal Service’s Universal Service Obligation and what it means to deliver affordable mail service to every address in the country, six days a week. They discuss the structural challenges USPS faces, including rising operational costs, limited borrowing authority, and increasing competition in package delivery. Elena also outlines potential policy solutions, emphasizing the critical role Congress must play in modernizing funding mechanisms to reflect today’s digital economy. The conversation highlights the broader implications for rural communities, small businesses, and essential services that rely on a stable and accessible postal system.   In part two of this episode, Sarah Anderson, Global Economy Director at the Institute for Policy Studies, joins Michelle to explore the deeper community impact of the Postal Service, particularly in rural America. The conversation examines how USPS functions as more than a delivery system, serving as a vital economic and social lifeline for rural residents. Sarah discusses the potential consequences of privatization, including increased costs, reduced service, and the possible closure of rural post offices. They also highlight the essential role USPS plays in delivering prescription medications, supporting small businesses, and ensuring access to vote-by-mail, especially in areas with limited polling locations. The discussion addresses workforce impacts, noting the importance of postal jobs as stable, middle-class employment in rural communities. Looking ahead, Sarah shares ideas for strengthening the Postal Service through expanded services, such as financial offerings and community-based programs, while reinforcing the importance of preserving USPS as a public good that serves all Americans.

    44 min

  6. MAR 12

    Rural Education: Public Funds for Private Schools with Dr. Melissa Sadorf and Jessica Piper

    In part one of this episode, Rural Education: Public Funds for Private Schools, Dr. Melissa Sadorf, Executive Director of the National Rural Education Association (NREA), joins Michelle to discuss the evolving landscape of rural education. Dr. Sadorf shares insights from the 2022-2027 NREA research agenda, highlighting the importance of spatial and educational equity and how policy decisions shape students' and communities' opportunities.   The conversation continues to focus on persistent and new challenges facing rural education systems and schools, including student funding disparities, teacher recruitment and retention, and limited broadband access that can restrict learning opportunities for those seeking to access virtual charter schools.   Moving to Policy Lifts and Let Downs - Dr. Sadorf describes the impact of the 2025 dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) and the expanding, critical role of rural schools as hubs for health and wellness services.   The two also discuss the lift rural schools are receiving from an innovative program funded by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant.   Before a break, Michelle and Dr. Sadoff discuss the complexities of school choice in rural areas, and looking ahead, Dr. Sadoff outlines key priorities for future research and policy advocacy to strengthen rural education systems and the communities they serve.   In part two of this episode, Executive Director of Blue Missouri, Jessica "Jess" Piper, returns to Rural Impact to take a closer look at the challenges and resilience of rural education in Missouri. The conversation examines how decades of public education underfunding impact rural districts, including contributing to larger class sizes, fewer resources, and increased pressure on educators. They also discuss efforts to expand school privatization and voucher programs that use public funds for religion-centered education, as well as how school-choice policies in Missouri are expanding, and what it could mean for public schools, including the quality of education K-12 students have access to and the economic impact on rural communities when choice creates fewer options for funding public education.

    48 min

  7. FEB 26

    Tracking Transformation: Opportunity for Some, for Others Pain with Joan Alker, Dr. Shannon Dowler, Alan Morgan and Carrie Henning-Smith, PhD, MPH, MSW

    In part one of this episode, Tracking Transformation: Opportunity for Some, for Others Pain, Michelle sits down with Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Center for Children and Families at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy, Joan Alker, as well as Dr. Shannon Dowler, who is a family medicine physician, serves on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Family Physicians, and an expert leader in Medicaid programs and expansion. Michelle, Joan, and Dr. Dowler unpack the scale and scope of recent Medicaid cuts under H.R. 1, examining how nearly $1 trillion in reductions compare with investments in rural health and what that imbalance means for communities on the ground. They explore the disproportionate impact on rural populations and how these cuts intensify existing racial, economic, and geographic health disparities. The conversation breaks down the political landscape, separating rhetoric from the reality of rural health funding, and explains the mechanics of provider taxes, state-level Medicaid financing strategies, and how work requirements contribute to coverage churn. Finally, they highlight actionable strategies for healthcare providers and advocates to educate policymakers and the public, underscoring the urgent need to reverse federal Medicaid cuts and protect essential rural health services. At the close of the episode, Michelle shares some special excerpts from interviews she had while attending the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) Policy Institute, with NRHA CEO Alan Morgan and President Carrie Henning-Smith. Alan Morgan argues that the “slowing of growth” in Medicaid is effectively a cut that will harm rural hospitals, which are already struggling due to a high concentration of patients with complex health needs and limited ability to pay, not because of low volume or poor management. He emphasizes that Medicaid is the primary tool keeping rural hospitals open by helping offset uncompensated care and bad debt, and he urges postponing the proposed reductions. Dr. Carrie Henning-Smith adds that rural health policy must focus on strengthening the overall foundation of care, addressing longstanding disparities, stopping looming Medicaid cuts, reinforcing the safety net, investing in the workforce, and making temporary support programs permanent through statutory action.

    42 min

  8. FEB 12

    The Inescapable Impact of Immigration Policies on Small Towns and Rural Communities with Lynn Melling, Brian Depew and Betsy Froiland

    In part one of this episode, The Inescapable Impact of Immigration Policies on Small Towns and Rural Communities, Michelle sits down with Emmy and Murrow Award–winning video storyteller, content strategist, and co-founder of 515 Productions, Lynn Melling, to examine how immigration policies and ICE operations are shaping life in small rural communities like Melrose, Minnesota. Lynn shares insights into the cultural, economic, and emotional impacts on residents, local businesses, law enforcement, and emergency services, and discusses how fear and silence often limit open community dialogue. The conversation underscores the critical role of storytelling and local journalism in bringing empathy, accuracy, and rural voices into the national immigration conversation.   In part two, Brian Depew, Executive Director of the Center for Rural Affairs, and Michelle explore how federal immigration policies are affecting rural communities across the country. They discuss the fear these policies create for immigrant workers, the resulting workforce shortages in sectors such as agriculture and healthcare, and the essential role immigrants play in sustaining rural economies. Brian also highlights growing bipartisan support for reform and the power of public advocacy to drive meaningful immigration policy change.   In part three, Michelle speaks with Betsy Froiland, a freelance reporter whose work focuses on rural faith communities and social issues, featured in The Daily Yonder, Barn Raiser, and MinnPost. Betsy shares reporting from Willmar, Minnesota, examining the personal and economic consequences of immigration enforcement in rural communities. The conversation explores fear stemming from ICE actions, ripple effects on families, schools, and local businesses, and the resilience and solidarity that emerge in response. The episode concludes with a discussion on the vital role of independent journalism and the need for policy change to better protect vulnerable populations. Resources:"Melrose" https://youtu.be/TVmNbIEXOc0?si=4mmydoK1yVFT7nx8Federal immigration actions affect rural communities, toohttps://www.cfra.org/blog/federal-immigration-actions-affect-rural-communities-too\"A Small Town Under ICE Occupation" https://dailyyonder.com/a-small-town-under-ice-occupation/2026/02/02/

    51 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

A Podcast that Connects the Dots between Policy and Rural Everything.

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Rathman
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Impact! Communications, Inc.
  • Show Website
    The Rural Impact

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