AAFP Joins Rebuild Rural Infrastructure Coalition

Academy to Provide Primary Care 'Voice of Expertise'

April 03, 2019, 02:16 pm Sheri Porter – The AAFP recently joined with more than 240 organizations across the country to become a working partner in the Rebuild Rural Infrastructure Coalition.

Indeed, the groups' backgrounds are as varied as their locations -- the Alaska Power Association, Alabama Farmers Federation, American Dairy Coalition, Cooperative Network, Idaho Grain Producers Association, Michigan Bean Shippers, National Black Growers Council, National Grange and Water Well Trust, to name just a handful.

Missing from the list of coalition partners -- before the AAFP's decision to join -- was the name of a single physician organization.

"It's time for the AAFP to step outside its normal sphere and learn from other individuals who share our passion for the future well-being of families who call America's rural and sometimes remote towns home," said Wood.

It should be noted that the National Rural Health Association is also a member of the coalition.

Rebuild Rural Background

Mark Hayes is vice president of external communications for the Farm Credit Council in Washington, D.C. He also serves as the press contact for the Rebuild Rural Coalition.

In an interview with AAFP News, Hayes explained that the collation was founded early in 2017 when the Trump administration was having conversations about an infrastructure package. His organization, along with several others, began talking about the host of past proposals that strongly favored urban areas.

"We wanted to create a coalition that could raise the voice of rural communities to make sure that some of that funding, in a dedicated way, was set aside for rural communities and their infrastructure," said Hayes.

He ticked off the eight specific topic areas the coalition embraces:

• agricultural research,
  
• health care,
  
• broadband internet,
  
• housing,
  
• energy,
  
• transportation,
  
• financing and
  
• water.

"It's everything that makes rural communities viable and that will encourage the next generation to want to live there," said Hayes.

He noted that local, state and national groups have come together to make sure the Trump administration and Congress understand that rural communities have unique needs.

Hayes also pointed out that America's rural population is declining -- and that means fewer members of Congress who represent rural areas.

"We felt it was really important to make sure lawmakers and policymakers understand the need out there, and the best way to do that is to create a critical mass -- and so, with more than 240 organizations, we have a lot of the country covered," he said.

And just how can the AAFP help in this effort?

"A huge advantage the AAFP has is that its members represent the boots on the ground. As physicians, they know the health care situation intimately; they know that 102 hospital have closed since 2010 and that 700 more are vulnerable to closure," said Hayes.

Physicians also know that when people have to drive 30, 60 or 100 miles to get to a doctor, "that poses a lot of challenges."

Family physicians working in these communities understand the economic benefit that health care facilities bring -- not only in well-paying jobs, but in sustainability for the entire area, said Hayes.

"We're excited to have AAFP members bring their voices to this debate as we educate and influence lawmakers about the importance of setting aside funding for rural communities -- particularly when it comes to health care," said Hayes.

Letter to Congress

Early in 2019, before the AAFP joined its ranks, Rebuild Rural called on the leaders of the 116th Congress for assistance.

In a Feb. 5 letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.; Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., the coalition came quickly to the point.

"As you set the strategic goals for the new Congress, the Rebuild Rural Coalition strongly encourages you to move quickly to pass bipartisan legislation to strengthen our nation's infrastructure, including specific provisions focused on the unique needs of rural communities and agriculture," the letter urged.

"We live and work every day in rural America and deeply understand the realities these communities face in order to remain prosperous and vibrant. We also understand that rural communities' needs are unique, oftentimes differing greatly from the realities of our urban counterparts," the letter continued.

The coalition pointed out the important role that rural communities play in the American economy -- providing "food and fiber for our country and the world, creating jobs for millions of Americans."

The coalition called on the federal government to continue to not only provide -- but to increase -- infrastructure funding in rural communities.

Lastly, the letter pledged the coalition's support in looking for creative solutions that include federal, state and local investments, as well as private sources of capital.

"We stand ready to work with you … to help identify and implement these vital rural infrastructure improvements," said coalition members.