The latest proposals are emerging as Trump gains traction in swing state polling. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, introduced Vice President Kamala Harris’s new initiatives for rural voters on October 15 during a campaign event in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.
Harris’s plan for rural healthcare includes strategies such as scholarships, grant programs, and loan forgiveness to recruit 10,000 healthcare workers in rural and tribal areas. The proposal also focuses on prioritizing economic and agricultural interests. This announcement coincides with Trump’s increasing lead in certain national and battleground state polls just three weeks before the election.
One of the key points of the plan is the call for Congress to permanently extend Medicare coverage for telehealth benefits, which are set to expire at the end of the year. Additionally, the campaign advocates for grants to support volunteer EMS programs and to reinstate the Affordable Connectivity Program, which lapsed in June. This program, initiated by the Biden administration, provided up to $30 off internet bills for qualifying individuals.
Furthermore, the Harris campaign aims to ensure that farmers have the right to repair their equipment and is pushing for legislation requiring manufacturers to allow this. Rural voters have been shifting away from the Democratic Party, a demographic that played a significant role in Trump’s victory in 2016.
In response to the Democratic outreach, the “Rural Americans for Trump” coalition has been launched to highlight the administration’s accomplishments in rural America, including trade agreements to increase agricultural exports. President Trump has emphasized the importance of rural and agricultural communities in feeding both the nation and the world, as well as their role in driving the U.S. economy.
Trump has also pledged to boost U.S. energy production to reduce heating and cooling expenses, particularly for residents in rural areas where fuel costs can be higher. The efforts to engage rural voters have been a focal point for both campaigns as the election approaches.
– The Associated Press contributed to this report. Please rephrase.
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