As the 2024 presidential election draws near, rural policy priorities are beginning to emerge, revealing stark contrasts between the candidates' approaches. The Harris-Walz campaign emphasizes enhancing rural health care access, supporting small farmers, and investing in infrastructure. Their plan includes recruiting 10,000 health care professionals and expanding the Rural Partners Network to address the pressing health care needs in rural areas. This focus aims to alleviate the feelings of neglect that many rural residents have expressed regarding federal resources. [bf8da2e6]
In contrast, the Trump-Vance campaign hints at potential reforms to agricultural subsidies and expresses support for smaller-scale producers, aligning with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again initiative. This campaign may also continue existing tariffs and provide aid to farmers, raising concerns about the implications for local economies and the sustainability of rural livelihoods. [bf8da2e6]
Interestingly, the recent vice-presidential debate on October 1, 2024, notably lacked substantial discussion on rural issues, despite the candidates' backgrounds in rural communities. This absence highlights a potential oversight in addressing the needs and concerns of rural voters, who feel underserved by current federal policies. [bf8da2e6]
The differing priorities between the campaigns underscore the critical role that rural policy will play in the election outcome, which could significantly influence future federal support for rural communities. As the campaigns progress, it remains to be seen how these rural policy discussions will evolve and resonate with voters across the nation. [bf8da2e6]