Michelle Rathman 🧡💙🌻☮️🎙️
@mrbimpact.bsky.social
Podcasting about policy and the impact on quality of life. (TheRuralImpact.com) 30+years in health care (urban and rural.) Speaker, strategist, writer, collaborator solving complex issues, passion for cooking, grand mothering, dog mothering & golfing.
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The Power of Acknowledging the Taken-for-Granted: A 2025 Reflection
The distinction you draw between simply listing what we are thankful for and reflecting on what we have allowed to slip into the realm of the "taken-for-granted" is profound. While expressing gratitud...
www.linkedin.com
As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, I've been thinking a lot about what we take for granted. Maybe this will resonate with you. www.linkedin.com/pulse/power-...
There is a shift. Flying into DC tonight whilst waiting for my Uber, (thank you Muhammad for the safe excellent comfortable ride) I was standing next to a former police officer. Asked me why I was in town. Told him I did health policy. His words. “RFK Jr. is killing Americans.”
February 7, 2026 at 1:52 AM
There is a shift. Flying into DC tonight whilst waiting for my Uber, (thank you Muhammad for the safe excellent comfortable ride) I was standing next to a former police officer. Asked me why I was in town. Told him I did health policy. His words. “RFK Jr. is killing Americans.”
Reposted by Michelle Rathman 🧡💙🌻☮️🎙️
Reposted by Michelle Rathman 🧡💙🌻☮️🎙️
Enhanced ACA subsidies expired Dec. 31, sending some health insurance premiums soaring.
For some in US, health insurance now costs more than the mortgage
Enhanced ACA subsidies expired Dec. 31, sending some health insurance premiums soaring.
www.oregonlive.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Enhanced ACA subsidies expired Dec. 31, sending some health insurance premiums soaring.
youtu.be/zrcW8SZtYpI
Do not look away. Listen to every word. Share it with your member of Congress who chose not to attend. Ask them why and what they will do to end this madness.
Do not look away. Listen to every word. Share it with your member of Congress who chose not to attend. Ask them why and what they will do to end this madness.
WATCH: Minneapolis resident and U.S. citizen Aliya Rahman describes being detained by ICE
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
youtu.be
February 4, 2026 at 1:31 PM
youtu.be/zrcW8SZtYpI
Do not look away. Listen to every word. Share it with your member of Congress who chose not to attend. Ask them why and what they will do to end this madness.
Do not look away. Listen to every word. Share it with your member of Congress who chose not to attend. Ask them why and what they will do to end this madness.
Reposted by Michelle Rathman 🧡💙🌻☮️🎙️
"Voters have a right to be free to cast their votes without walking past a phalanx of Trump’s private army.”
Former Governor Jay Inslee is out with a new warning and a call to action concerning the upcoming midterm elections.
Former Governor Jay Inslee is out with a new warning and a call to action concerning the upcoming midterm elections.
Don’t Let ICE Freeze Voting
Guest article by Jay Inslee, former governor of Washington State
www.meidasplus.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:08 AM
"Voters have a right to be free to cast their votes without walking past a phalanx of Trump’s private army.”
Former Governor Jay Inslee is out with a new warning and a call to action concerning the upcoming midterm elections.
Former Governor Jay Inslee is out with a new warning and a call to action concerning the upcoming midterm elections.
Listen to the testimony of Renee Good's brothers today, the voices of the survivors of unspeakable terror at the hands of their government during a congressional session today that did not include a single republican. Where is the humanity, the justice. Rich people take cover while the brave speak.
February 4, 2026 at 2:35 AM
Listen to the testimony of Renee Good's brothers today, the voices of the survivors of unspeakable terror at the hands of their government during a congressional session today that did not include a single republican. Where is the humanity, the justice. Rich people take cover while the brave speak.
👂🏼 to all the courageous testimony today, Renee Good's brothers, three survivors of ICE terror. I listened to members of Congress speak about their outrage (no (R) member had the courage to attend) None of us are safe until the funding for these crimes cut off and all responsible held accountable.
Luke Ganger, Renee Good’s brother: “In the last few weeks, our family took some consolation thinking that perhaps ‘Nee’s death would bring about change in our country. It has not.”
February 3, 2026 at 11:02 PM
👂🏼 to all the courageous testimony today, Renee Good's brothers, three survivors of ICE terror. I listened to members of Congress speak about their outrage (no (R) member had the courage to attend) None of us are safe until the funding for these crimes cut off and all responsible held accountable.
The filth on filthy rich. 👇👇
They want us working earlier and til we die to pay for their tax cuts for the rich. Supervillains.
February 3, 2026 at 12:26 PM
The filth on filthy rich. 👇👇
Reposted by Michelle Rathman 🧡💙🌻☮️🎙️
Good news: “A federal judge issued a last minute reprieve on Feb. 2, blocking President Donald Trump's attempt to end temporary protected status for hundreds of thousands of Haitian immigrants in the U.S.
The status [allows] about 350,000 Haitians to legally live and work in the United States”
The status [allows] about 350,000 Haitians to legally live and work in the United States”
Federal judge blocks Trump Administration from ending TPS for Haitians
The ruling says the termination of TPS is "null, void and of no legal effect" and will not impact the work authorization of Haitian immigrants.
www.dispatch.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:52 AM
Good news: “A federal judge issued a last minute reprieve on Feb. 2, blocking President Donald Trump's attempt to end temporary protected status for hundreds of thousands of Haitian immigrants in the U.S.
The status [allows] about 350,000 Haitians to legally live and work in the United States”
The status [allows] about 350,000 Haitians to legally live and work in the United States”
@brianralexander.bsky.social piece is a must read. The privilege of exploitation continues. “The ReWorld incinerator is not located in any of those places. It is located in Chester, a majority Black, bankrupt city. That is not an accident.”
New post, again free to all.
Dumping on Chester
One poor city as an avatar for many places where people can't afford to buy political power.
by.brianralexander.com/dumping-on-c...
Dumping on Chester
One poor city as an avatar for many places where people can't afford to buy political power.
by.brianralexander.com/dumping-on-c...
Dumping on Chester
This past week, the mayor of Chester, Pennsylvania, Stefan Roots, stood in front of the Philadelphia city council and asked those council people to please stop dumping garbage on his city. Philadelphi...
by.brianralexander.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:57 PM
@brianralexander.bsky.social piece is a must read. The privilege of exploitation continues. “The ReWorld incinerator is not located in any of those places. It is located in Chester, a majority Black, bankrupt city. That is not an accident.”
Must listen! www.thisamericanlife.org/880/what-is-...
What Is Your Emergency? - This American Life
911 calls unlike any we’ve heard before, and other stories about immigration agents sweeping through America.
www.thisamericanlife.org
January 31, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Must listen! www.thisamericanlife.org/880/what-is-...
Horrifying.
If you think they’re building more detention facilities, increasing mass surveillance, and growing the size of ICE just to deport undocumented immigrants, then you haven’t been paying attention.
Continuing to fund ICE is enabling what we all know is coming next.
Continuing to fund ICE is enabling what we all know is coming next.
January 31, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Horrifying.
Tax payers pony-up. | Don Lemon Released Without Bond Over Minnesota Protest Charge www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
Don Lemon Released Without Bond Over Minnesota Protest Charge
www.nytimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 4:36 AM
Tax payers pony-up. | Don Lemon Released Without Bond Over Minnesota Protest Charge www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
Incredibly proud to be from Minnesota. My family residing there now make my heart sing while my blood boils. Under siege from a tyrannical government, our government, they rise. No words describe this better than “theater,”as the new guy said. It’s all for show. Keep at it. Decency will win.
show.th
January 31, 2026 at 4:14 AM
Incredibly proud to be from Minnesota. My family residing there now make my heart sing while my blood boils. Under siege from a tyrannical government, our government, they rise. No words describe this better than “theater,”as the new guy said. It’s all for show. Keep at it. Decency will win.
Reposted by Michelle Rathman 🧡💙🌻☮️🎙️
This Epstein drop is HUGE and utterly disgusting. I don’t see how this man is allowed to remain in office. Where are the evangelical leaders, the soccer moms, the folks stocking up on eggs, the farmers, the small business owners.
Decide. Who are you?
Decide. Who are you?
January 30, 2026 at 10:04 PM
This Epstein drop is HUGE and utterly disgusting. I don’t see how this man is allowed to remain in office. Where are the evangelical leaders, the soccer moms, the folks stocking up on eggs, the farmers, the small business owners.
Decide. Who are you?
Decide. Who are you?
Reposted by Michelle Rathman 🧡💙🌻☮️🎙️
There is no "Great Healthcare Bill" It is one page with bullet point campaign trail promises. Dropped an episode with this as our lead today: youtu.be/LLqCFKsNjn4
Great Healthcare Plan & Threats to Food Security with Larry Levitt & Gina Plata-Nino
YouTube video by The Rural Impact
youtu.be
January 29, 2026 at 9:26 PM
There is no "Great Healthcare Bill" It is one page with bullet point campaign trail promises. Dropped an episode with this as our lead today: youtu.be/LLqCFKsNjn4
I’m glad I took my blood pressure meds before I listened @julierovner.bsky.social 😢 but folks please do listen and let it sink in. 😡
On this week's #WTHealth podcast: How ICE is impacting health care (literally and politically) and why anti-abortion groups are unhappy with the Trump admin. With @rachelroubein.bsky.social, @alicemiranda.bsky.social, and Maya Goldman.
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
The Hazards of ICE for Public Health - KFF Health News
The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown is not just roiling politics but also directly affecting the provision of health care, medical groups say. Meanwhile, in Washington, federal spending b...
kffhealthnews.org
January 30, 2026 at 3:27 PM
I’m glad I took my blood pressure meds before I listened @julierovner.bsky.social 😢 but folks please do listen and let it sink in. 😡
She didn’t mention
✔️Every SNAP dollar generates up to $1.80 in economic activity during economic downturns
✔️supports local grocery stores and farmers
✔️ eligibility connects students w/critical child nutrition programs
✔️lifts millions of people out of poverty
✔️is a lifeline for rural communities
✔️Every SNAP dollar generates up to $1.80 in economic activity during economic downturns
✔️supports local grocery stores and farmers
✔️ eligibility connects students w/critical child nutrition programs
✔️lifts millions of people out of poverty
✔️is a lifeline for rural communities
A tale of two screenshots.
January 30, 2026 at 2:49 PM
She didn’t mention
✔️Every SNAP dollar generates up to $1.80 in economic activity during economic downturns
✔️supports local grocery stores and farmers
✔️ eligibility connects students w/critical child nutrition programs
✔️lifts millions of people out of poverty
✔️is a lifeline for rural communities
✔️Every SNAP dollar generates up to $1.80 in economic activity during economic downturns
✔️supports local grocery stores and farmers
✔️ eligibility connects students w/critical child nutrition programs
✔️lifts millions of people out of poverty
✔️is a lifeline for rural communities
Reposted by Michelle Rathman 🧡💙🌻☮️🎙️
The Fulton County search warrant & its implications for the 2026 & future elections is critically important news & not getting the coverage it merits. Read my most recent piece to get the download & understand why this is such a significant development. open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...
Today Fulton County, Tomorrow???
On Wednesday, the FBI executed a search warrant on the Fulton County, Georgia, Elections Operation Center.
open.substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:15 AM
The Fulton County search warrant & its implications for the 2026 & future elections is critically important news & not getting the coverage it merits. Read my most recent piece to get the download & understand why this is such a significant development. open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...
Reposted by Michelle Rathman 🧡💙🌻☮️🎙️
I don't think people understand that if you shut down the government, ICE and CBP do NOT shut down. They're funded by supplemental money from the BBB. That's why dems are separating the DHS funding bill and asking for restrictions. I want them to demand a rescission of that funding or shut DHS down
January 30, 2026 at 1:15 AM
I don't think people understand that if you shut down the government, ICE and CBP do NOT shut down. They're funded by supplemental money from the BBB. That's why dems are separating the DHS funding bill and asking for restrictions. I want them to demand a rescission of that funding or shut DHS down
Reposted by Michelle Rathman 🧡💙🌻☮️🎙️
Trump’s domestic troop deployments aren’t just authoritarian. They’re also expensive
www.ms.now/opinion/trum...
www.ms.now/opinion/trum...
Opinion | Trump’s domestic troop deployments aren’t just authoritarian. They’re also expensive.
The vast amount of money spent on Trump's political theater of domination adds insult to injury.
www.ms.now
January 30, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Trump’s domestic troop deployments aren’t just authoritarian. They’re also expensive
www.ms.now/opinion/trum...
www.ms.now/opinion/trum...
Reposted by Michelle Rathman 🧡💙🌻☮️🎙️
"Great Healthcare Plan!" What's in it? What can states expect from cost shifts related to SNAP? @mrbimpact.bsky.social welcomes @larrylevitt.bsky.social, @kff.org, and Gina Plata-Nino, FRAC, to break it down and connect the dots. https://youtu.be/LLqCFKsNjn4
January 29, 2026 at 2:41 PM
"Great Healthcare Plan!" What's in it? What can states expect from cost shifts related to SNAP? @mrbimpact.bsky.social welcomes @larrylevitt.bsky.social, @kff.org, and Gina Plata-Nino, FRAC, to break it down and connect the dots. https://youtu.be/LLqCFKsNjn4
Reposted by Michelle Rathman 🧡💙🌻☮️🎙️
GEORGIA — @ossoff.senate.gov : “This is a SEISMIC event. This should have people across 🇺🇸 absolutely shook. This is an FBI raid on the Fulton County elections office… this is a shot across the bow at the midterm elections.” (H/T @atrupar.com )
January 29, 2026 at 5:46 AM
GEORGIA — @ossoff.senate.gov : “This is a SEISMIC event. This should have people across 🇺🇸 absolutely shook. This is an FBI raid on the Fulton County elections office… this is a shot across the bow at the midterm elections.” (H/T @atrupar.com )
Good morning early birds. NEW episode on and we’re talking about the 1-page “great” healthcare plan + SNAP cost/shifts to states! @ruralimpactpodcast.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Great Healthcare Plan & Threats to Food Security with Larry Levitt & Gina Plata-Nino
Podcast Episode · The Rural Impact · 01/29/2026 · 49m
podcasts.apple.com
January 29, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Good morning early birds. NEW episode on and we’re talking about the 1-page “great” healthcare plan + SNAP cost/shifts to states! @ruralimpactpodcast.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...