Blog
Policy Updates and Issue News April 2020
Overview The Covid-19 pandemic crisis has now turned into two worldwide crises, medical and economic. Just a couple months ago, most of us could not have imagined a virus so infectious that it could spread around the world in a few months killing people in war time numbers. Neither could we have we expected worldwide … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News April 2020”
FCC Chairman Pai joins Grange live web-stream, talks broadband and more
On Thursday, April 23, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai joined the National Grange’s daily livestream, Cultivating Connections. Pai talked about rural broadband and other related issues. He also took questions from the audience who joined the conversation by comments and text. In it, Pai said the contributions of the Grange on the issues related to … Continue reading “FCC Chairman Pai joins Grange live web-stream, talks broadband and more”
Grange to Congress: Rural Americans need information access during pandemic
On Monday, April 20, the National Grange released a statement calling on Congress to ensure service is available rural Americans using satellite TV to access vital information by extending the STELAR act. National Grange President Betsy Huber said: “The ongoing COVID-19 crisis makes clear the unique challenges that rural and underserved Americans face not … Continue reading “Grange to Congress: Rural Americans need information access during pandemic”
National Grange Urges Rural Caucus Members to Expand Cancer Care Access for Seniors
Washington, DC – Betsy Huber, president of National Grange, today sent a letter to Rural Caucus members of Congress urging their support in ensuring the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implements a sustainable reimbursement solution for the innovative cancer treatment known as CAR-T therapy. Medicare’s current reimbursement process for CAR-T therapy is … Continue reading “National Grange Urges Rural Caucus Members to Expand Cancer Care Access for Seniors”
National Grange partners with U.S. Census, Comcast on PSA
The National Grange understand the importance of an accurate census count for rural communities. More than $30 billion each year is provided by the federal government to rural communities based on census data. Those funds provide critical dollars for small-town America. From money to purchase public safety equipment such as fire apparatus to operating … Continue reading “National Grange partners with U.S. Census, Comcast on PSA”
Policy Updates and Issue News March 2020
Overview “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the services of their country, but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” These words by Thomas Paine in December 1776 spoke to a deepening … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News March 2020”
OPINION: What Government Should, Shouldn’t Do to Advance Mobile Tech in Ag
The convergence of technology and agriculture has revolutionized modern farming. From streamlining communication, to allowing remote crop monitoring via wireless sensors, to guiding farm machinery, there are scores of examples of ways in which modern farmers and ranchers rely on mobile devices to make their operations not just more efficient, but more sustainable. As our … Continue reading “OPINION: What Government Should, Shouldn’t Do to Advance Mobile Tech in Ag”
Grange urges Senate and House Committee for full funding of market access and market development export programs
America’s export markets are a lifeline for agriculture. The National Grange and most agriculture, fresh produce, commodity, forest and food organizations are asking Congress to fully fund the Marker Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program which are vital to securing and keeping export markets. Both programs are contingent on 100 percent matching contribution … Continue reading “Grange urges Senate and House Committee for full funding of market access and market development export programs”
Grange urges Congress to fully fund the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network for FY2021
Farmer and rancher mental health challenges have increased this year. The farm economy, volatile markets, unpredicted weather, and pandemic health scares continue to strain their mental and emotional well-being. The National Grange joined several agricultural, commodity, veterans and rural groups calling on Congress to fully fund the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network for FY2021. … Continue reading “Grange urges Congress to fully fund the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network for FY2021”
Be careful when buying imported prescription drugs
The National Grange joined the Oklahoma State Grange and sixteen patient groups in a letter to the Oklahoma legislature cautioning them about imported drug legislation under consideration. CLICK HERE TO READ THE LETTER.
Policy Updates and Issue News February 2020
Presidential Politics In keeping with Grange tradition, the National Grange Fly-In this year was to New Hampshire to experience the “First in the Nation” Presidential Primary. The excursion included thirty Grangers from eight states and the District of Columbia, who worked on the various campaigns of their choice, watched a candidates’ debate, marveled at the … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News February 2020”
Grange hails white space proposal as necessary step forward to bridging digital divide
The National Grange applauded today’s announced proposal by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to use unlicensed white space to deliver broadband service to rural residents. The move is another in a growing list by the Chairman and FCC to bridge the digital divide and ensure all Americans have access to broadband. National Grange President Betsy … Continue reading “Grange hails white space proposal as necessary step forward to bridging digital divide”
Pricing drugs on international index may cause concern
Access to affordable health care is one of rural America’s most serious challenges. Limited resources and high patient loads overwork rural physicians. In rural areas, there are 13 practitioners per 10,000 people. Compare that to urban areas where the ratio is 31 practitioners per 10,000 people. Rural physicians provide a much wider scope of … Continue reading “Pricing drugs on international index may cause concern”
Policy Updates and Issue News January 2020
Overview January has been an extremely slow month for issues and policy actions in Washington. The legislative arena has been overtaken by the Democratic presidential candidates’ campaigns and the Trump impeachment process. The presidential candidates are beginning to hone in more now on rural, agriculture, food, environmental, health and broadband issues. The House is essentially … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News January 2020”
National Grange Statement on WOTUS Final Rule
On Thursday, Jan. 23, National Grange President Betsy Huber applauded the release of the final Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule by the EPA and Corps of Engineers. She released the following statement: “This new WOTUS rule replaces a rule that overreached the authority granted by Congress to regulate navigable versus not-so-navigable water … Continue reading “National Grange Statement on WOTUS Final Rule”