Tim Walz to unveil Kamala Harris’ plan to improve lives of rural Americans: What would it do?

Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will unveil his ticket’s plans to enhance the lives of rural voters on Tuesday, as Vice President Kamala Harris aims to reduce former President Donald Trump’s support in that demographic.

The Harris-Walz plan focuses on improving rural healthcare, with proposals to recruit 10,000 new healthcare professionals in rural and tribal areas through scholarships, loan forgiveness, and new grant programs. It also outlines economic and agricultural policy priorities. A senior campaign official shared these details with The Associated Press ahead of the official announcement.

This initiative is part of a strategic effort by the Democratic campaign to make inroads into the traditionally Trump-supporting rural voting bloc in the final weeks leading up to Election Day. Trump won rural voters by nearly two-to-one in 2020, according to AP VoteCast. As both parties work to expand their appeal beyond their historical bases, they aim to capture critical voter segments that could sway the election.

Walz will announce the plan during a visit to Lawrence County in western Pennsylvania, a key battleground for the 2024 election. He is also featured in a new radio ad highlighting his small-town roots and experience as a football coach, while criticizing Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance.

“In a small town, you don’t focus on politics; you focus on taking care of your neighbors and minding your own business,” Walz states in the ad, which will air on over 500 rural radio stations in Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. “Now Donald Trump and JD Vance, they don’t think like us. They’re in it for themselves.”

The Harris-Walz plan calls on Congress to permanently extend telemedicine coverage under Medicare, a benefit that has helped millions during the pandemic but is set to expire at the end of 2024. It also proposes grants to support volunteer EMS programs to reduce the number of Americans living more than 25 minutes from an ambulance.

Additionally, the plan urges Congress to restore the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provided discounts on home internet bills and expired in June, and to ensure that farmers have the right to repair their equipment.