Here are some topics that deserve attention in coming months. Decisions and actions in the private and public sectors in these areas will determine Kansas’ future, especially the health of its rural communities.
A Kansas contributor
Trade policy
With the election of Joe Biden, many hope for a return to international trade strategies that look to build markets overseas for U.S. producers, including manufacturers, ranchers and farmers.
Kansas relies on foreign trade to grow its economy, especially in the agriculture sector. Other Kansas industries that would benefit from better export markets include aviation and electronics.
In addition to trying to revive pacts such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the U.S. will need to continue its efforts to gain acceptance for U.S. products. That includes ongoing work that dates back at least 20 years to gain global acceptance for GMOs and other bio-ag advancements.
Immigration
Immigrants have helped build Kansas over two centuries. The viability of rural Kansas depends on the nation finding ways to welcome and integrate immigrants in our communities.
Population declines in much Kansas will not be reversed without growing business opportunities and the workforce in rural communities. Historically, the best way to achieve that growth has been immigration.
Health care
The fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic will be felt for decades.
Hospitals, nursing homes, insurance policies, government programs, the federal budget – all have been significantly affected.
Long after COVID-19 fades from headlines, the changes the pandemic brought will remain.
For example, the loss of health insurance by millions of workers across the country will bring new pressures on families and on the health-care providers and companies that serve them.
Given the gains conservatives made in the state Legislature this election, it’s unlikely Kansas will expand Medicaid, even though conservative legislatures in states around us have done just that.
The situation will further hinder Kansas economically, as low-income workers are unable to afford health care for themselves and their families. In turn, hospitals and other health-care providers, especially in rural areas, will go broke and close.
Medicaid expansion alone won’t solve all health care’s problems, but it could help as a bridge.
Ultimately, the state and the nation need to address the unsustainable financial costs of the American health care system, especially in rural areas.
Population shifts
Like many other Midwestern rural states, Kansas continues to see people move to metropolitan areas.
