Missouri voters deserve leaders who put rural communities first. But U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt has repeatedly sided with special interests over the needs of Missouri’s small towns and farms.
Cuts to Medicaid Provider Taxes
In June 2025, Schmitt voted “Yes” on the budget reconciliation bill that caps medical provider taxes at 3.5%.
That cap threatens to cut hundreds of millions from Missouri hospitals, especially in rural areas that rely on Medicaid reimbursements.
Local healthcare leaders warn that lowering provider taxes makes it harder for rural hospitals to cover costs—putting emergency care out of reach for many Missourians.
Stripping Funds from Rural Communities
In July 2025, Schmitt voted for the rescissions package that clawed back over $1 billion from public broadcasting and cut foreign aid.
That move hits small-town PBS and NPR stations—and the farms and families they serve—hardest.
These cuts fund big-city media critics, not rural Missouri schools, hospitals, or broadband projects that depend on community TV and radio grants.
Why It Matters
Dozens of rural Missouri counties already lack a hospital.
Local radio and TV are critical for weather alerts, farm news, and school closings.
Missourians can’t wait years for cuts to be undone or for distant donors to care.
About Me: Ricky Dana
I was born in Waverly and grew up in Marshall, Missouri. I’ve worked the land, raised horses, and served rural Missouri through my work with the Lincoln University College of Agriculture. I’ve spent my career helping farm families, expanding healthcare access, and supporting public outreach in our rural communities.
Here’s what I’m fighting for:
Expand Medicaid now to keep rural hospitals open and staffed
Protect public broadcasting that serves our farms, schools, and small towns
Bring high-speed internet and reliable healthcare to every county in Missouri
Write policy based on Missouri values—not orders from D.C. lobbyists
I’m not funded by billionaires or coastal donors—I’m backed by you. And I’ll always put Missouri first.
Josh Hawley just rolled out the “Protect Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act.” It sounds like a lifeline—but it doesn’t send any money to help Missouri hospitals until 2031. That’s six years too late for the towns already losing care. And remember: Hawley just voted to slash Medicaid by over $1 trillion. Now he’s acting like a hero? That’s damage control, not leadership.
The Bill Arrives Too Late
Funding delayed until 2031 means no help for today’s struggling hospitals.
More than a dozen rural hospitals have closed since 2014—and dozens more are at risk.
Missouri families can’t wait half a decade for relief.
He’s Not From Rural Missouri—And It Shows
Born: Springdale, Arkansas
Raised: Kansas City suburbs, not on a farm
Education: Stanford University and Yale Law School
Residence: Northern Virginia—far from Missouri’s heartland
He flies in for photo-ops. He doesn’t drive the 60-mile trip to your nearest ER.
Who Really Funds Hawley?
Funding Breakdown (Jan 1–Jun 30, 2025)
Source
Amount
Percent
Total raised
$708,458.87
100%
Itemized individual donations
$223,803.44
31.6%
Unitemized small-dollar gifts
$45,885.49
6.5%
PACs & committee contributions
$6,000.00
0.8%
Committee transfers (Victory Committee)
$475,856.78
67.2%
Special-interest money (PACs + committee transfers) makes up roughly 68% of his funding—cash from D.C. insiders and out-of-state power brokers.
Why Missouri Can’t Wait
Dozens of counties have no hospital at all.
Seniors, veterans, and working families lose care every day.
Hawley’s bill is a press release, not a plan.
About Me: Ricky Dana
I was born in Waverly and grew up in Marshall, Missouri. I’ve worked the land. I’ve served at Lincoln University to bring healthcare and ag programs to rural towns. I don’t need a photo-op—I live this life. I’ll fight for:
Immediate Medicaid expansion
Funding for rural clinics and hospitals
Better access to care for veterans, seniors, and kids
Trade policies that help local farmers—not mega-corporations
I’m not funded by billionaires. I’m backed by you.
By Ricky Dana, Missouri Grown Candidate for U.S. House – District 4
Grounded in Rural Missouri
Republicans fear rural Democrats—and they should. We live and work in these communities. We drive the same gravel roads, pray in the same churches, and know what it means to lose a crop, a job, or a clinic. We’re not just running for Congress—we’re standing up for the people we’ve stood beside our whole lives.
Meanwhile, the Republicans representing Missouri’s 4th District live in suburban enclaves like Blue Springs and Raymore. These are city-style Republicans funded by out-of-state donors and guided by political consultants—not farmers, nurses, or factory workers. They’ve never had to fight to keep a rural hospital open or drive 50 miles for a specialist.
Only 20.6% of my opponent’s campaign donations come from inside our district. Over 70% comes from PACs and special interest groups far from rural Missouri.
56.5% of his campaign money is from out of state. That’s not representation. That’s outsourcing your voice.
Voting Against Rural Missouri
Republicans backed H.R. 1—called the “One Big, Beautiful Bill”—which slashed:
$863 billion from Medicaid
$295 billion from SNAP (food assistance)
That means more rural hospitals shutting down and more working families left without food when times get hard.
They also expanded the estate tax exemption, helping megafarms and the ultra-wealthy—while refusing to renew farm tax credits that support small family farms through droughts, floods, and rising costs.
No Town Halls, No Accountability
My opponent can’t even face tough questions. His town halls are few and far between—and when he does hold one, he either ends early or moves it online to avoid criticism.
Now, under Trump’s direction, House Republicans have been told to stop doing in-person town halls altogether. That’s not just cowardly—it’s taxation without representation.
The Rural Democrat Difference
Rural Democrats are not the same as city Democrats. Our platform is built for the unique needs of rural Missouri—communities with long distances, fewer hospitals, and economies built on agriculture and small business. One-size-fits-all doesn’t work here.
We are here for all people in District 4:
The working poor trying to make ends meet
The farmer who lost a crop to drought or flood
Your grandparents who rely on Medicaid to stay in their homes
We fight for rural infrastructure, healthcare access, and economic fairness. We’ll work with anyone—Republican or Democrat—who’s ready to help Missouri.
My Commitment to Missouri
I will work across the aisle to get things done—not to score political points, but to pass real legislation that helps every corner of our district. No special interest group will ever buy my vote. Not now. Not ever.
I love Missouri. I love our small towns, our farms, and our grit. I’ve seen too much hate lately—for no good reason. So I’ve made a choice: to love for no reason. To be a better neighbor. And to write laws that lift people up, not tear them down.
I’m proud to be a Missourian. And I’ll be proud to introduce legislation that supports farmers, seniors, workers, and families—so that rural Missouri thrives again.
My opponent just voted for the Rescissions Act of 2025 in the House on July 18, 2025—cutting $7.9 billion in foreign aid and $1.1 billion from public broadcasting (NPR/PBS) for a total of $9 billion. Full vote details (Roll Call Vote 2025203).
I am one of you, born and raised here in rural Missouri, and I will always fight for all Missourians, especially our farm families and small towns.
I already have trade-agreement plans in progress to move more of Missouri’s cash crops and livestock to buyers at home and abroad. In 2023, Missouri was the 8th-largest agricultural exporter, shipping $5.6 billion in farm goods overseas (USTR), and our agriculture industry is a $93.7 billion engine that employs nearly 460,000 people (MO Dept of Ag).
With smarter deals, we can grow that number—bringing billions more back into our rural communities.
Tax Relief for Family Farms
I will introduce legislation to remove all federal income tax on family-farm sales of cash crops, garden vegetables, and livestock. Under Article I, Section 8, Congress has the power to levy and adjust taxes, and the 16th Amendment allows income taxes on any source of income. This change keeps more money in local pockets for equipment, seed, and hiring.
To ease local property-tax burdens, I will create a production-based tax credit that farms can apply against their county and municipal property and real estate taxes.
Property Tax Credits for Farm Families
Our farm families feed Missouri—and the world. To support them, I’ll champion legislation for production-based property tax credits. Farms that meet certain output levels can claim credits against their county and local property and real estate taxes.
Credit Amount: Up to 25% of county/local property tax paid on agricultural land.
Eligibility: Producing at least 1,000 bushels of grain (or equivalent livestock output) annually.
Example Benefit: A 200-acre farm paying $60 / acre ($12,000/year) could receive up to $3,000 in credits annually.
These credits deliver immediate relief—keeping farms competitive, family-owned, and thriving.
Improving Rural Health Care
Our district is incredibly lean on health services—all but seven Missouri counties have shortages of primary care providers, and 18 rural hospitals have closed since 2014 (The Beacon News).
Urgent Care Clinics: Open 5 new offices across MO-4. Startup cost ~$850,000–$1 million each (Experity Health).
Mobile Clinics: Deploy 10 rotating units with Missouri extension offices, community centers, and churches. Startup ~$150,000–$200,000 each; annual operating ~$275,000 (Chief Healthcare Exec; Mobile Health Map).
Building Infrastructure & Broadband
We’ll repair rural roads and bridges so farmers can get goods to market faster. We’ll also subsidize high-speed internet so families can do primary-care checkups online when clinics aren’t nearby.
MO-4 has ~788,949 people (Census Reporter), about 316,000 households. If 75% (~237,000) need service at $75/month, that runs ~$213 million/year.
Funding the Plan
We’ll pay for these initiatives by:
Closing the carried-interest loophole and raising the top marginal rate on incomes over $5 million—part of the “Buffett Rule,” which analysts estimate could raise about $36.7 billion per year nationwide (Wikipedia).
Enacting a 1 percentage-point increase in the corporate income tax rate, which could generate approximately $14 billion per year over the next decade (https://www.crfb.org/blogs/cbos-revenue-savings-options?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
Redirecting unused federal relief funds and unspent infrastructure monies to jump-start clinic construction and broadband build-out.
Even setting aside 0.5% of that annual revenue—roughly $250 million—would cover the yearly cost of rural health care, broadband subsidies, and infrastructure projects in Missouri’s 4th District.
Rough Cost Estimate for MO-4
Initiative
Quantity
Unit Cost
Initial Cost
Annual Cost
Urgent Care Clinics
5
~$1 million each
~$5 million
Break-even in ~2 years
Mobile Clinics
10
$150K–$200K each
~$1.5 million
~$2.75 million
Broadband Subsidy
237,000 households
$75/month
N/A
~$213 million
All figures approximate; final costs depend on clinic size, subsidy levels, and rollout pace.
Conclusion
Rural Missouri deserved an advocate who lives here, farmed here, and raised horses here. I am one of you, and I will fight every day to:
Bring billions into our economy through trade-agreement legislation that opens new markets for our cash crops and livestock.
Cut federal income taxes on family-farm sales and create production-based property tax credits with the Family Farm Tax Relief Act.
Expand health care across MO-4 by funding new urgent care clinics and rotating mobile units under the Rural Health Care Expansion Act.
Build modern infrastructure and broadband access with the Rural Infrastructure & Connectivity Act.
Missourian Unity: Our Neighbors Are Not Our Enemies
In Missouri, we come from many backgrounds. We worship in churches, synagogues, mosques and temples. Even within the same faith, people sometimes split into three different churches in one town. Our differences make us strong, not weak.
Politics should never turn neighbor against neighbor. You have the right to stand up when someone spreads hatefulness. But don’t let a vote cost you a friendship.
Working Together for Real Results
Our state was strongest when elected leaders—Democrat and Republican—worked together to write laws for Missourians, by Missourians. Today, too many block good ideas or reverse progress once they’re in office. If we keep voting the same way, we’ll get the same results.
Putting People First
Vote for people who understand rural Missouri.
Speak up when you see hate or unfair laws.
Trust parents to guide their own children.
We already have laws to stop truly harmful actions. It’s up to families and neighbors to teach right from wrong. And it’s up to us to vote for leaders who bring us together, not tear us apart.
Join Me in Building Unity
Let’s remember: our neighbors are not our enemies. Let’s honor our past and work for our future. Share your thoughts below and help spread unity across our great state.
Friends, H.R. 5403—the so-called “CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act”—might sound like it protects our privacy, but it actually locks working families out of cheaper, safer banking tools and leaves rural Missourians worse off. Here’s why:
Keeps costly bank fees in place By banning the Fed from offering digital dollars directly to people, H.R. 5403 forces anyone without a traditional bank account to keep relying on check-cashers and payday lenders. Right now, about 4.2 percent of U.S. households have no bank account at all—often paying high fees for every transaction [1].
Hurts rural Missouri the most Rural areas in Missouri already face bank-branch closures and long drives for basic services. In counties hit hardest by branch losses, poverty rates reached as high as 33 percent, and residents struggle to access affordable banking without a Fed digital option [2].
Blocks fast, fee-free disaster aidWhen floods or tornadoes strike, Missourians need relief instantly. A central bank digital currency (CBDC) could let the government send aid straight to your phone—no bank required—cutting out delays and fees. H.R. 5403 kills that possibility.
Protects big banks over Main StreetInstead of empowering people with low-cost, government-backed digital dollars, this bill cements big banks’ control. Working families end up paying private-sector fees for every deposit, withdrawal, or transfer.
[1] FDIC, “FDIC Survey Finds 96 Percent of U.S. Households Were Banked in 2023,” November 2024, https://www.fdic.gov/news/press-releases/2024/fdic-survey-finds-96-percent-us-households-were-banked-2023
[2] Federal Reserve Board, “Perspectives from Main Street: Bank Branch Access in Rural Communities,” November 2019, https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/november-2019-bank-branch-access-in-rural-communities.htm
H.R. 4, the “Rescissions Act of 2025,” cuts almost $8 billion from programs Americans rely on. One of the biggest hits? It wipes out every dollar for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting—meaning no federal money for PBS or NPR starting in 2026.
How H.R. 4 Hurts Key Services
No More PBS & NPR Funding
PBS KIDS shows for low-income kids could disappear.
Local public radio stations lose farm reports, weather alerts, and community news.
Fewer Emergency Alerts
Public broadcasters help warn rural areas about floods, tornadoes, or wildfires. Without them, fewer people get the message.
Weaker U.S. Leadership Abroad
The bill also cuts billions for global health, refugee aid, climate work, and disaster relief. When America steps back overseas, instability can ripple back home.
What This Means for Missourians
Many families in Missouri-4 depend on public TV for free educational shows and on public radio for market prices and weather forecasts.
Farmers count on NPR’s farm reports to plan planting and sales.
Seniors and rural residents may lose their main source of news and emergency updates.
Mark “Awful” Alford and Missouri-4
Your current District 4 U.S. Representative, Mark “Awful” Alford (whom I hope to replace), is set to vote for H.R. 4. That means he’s supporting cuts that gut PBS, NPR, and vital services in our district. If you live in Missouri-4, now’s the time to ask him why he’s backing a plan that leaves rural communities in the dark.
Contact Congressman Mark “Awful” Alford and Tell Him to Vote No on H.R. 4 if he cares even the least about Rural Missourians
Washington, DC Office
328 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2876
Columbia District Office
2401 Bernadette Drive, Suite 117
Columbia, MO 65203
Phone: (573) 540-6600
Raymore District Office
1272 West Foxwood Dr.
Raymore, MO 64083
Phone: (816) 441-6318
Lebanon District Office
500 E. Elm Street
Lebanon, MO 65536
Phone: (417) 532-5582
Republicans often sneer “woke” at anything they dislike—calling it radical or un-American. But:
Original Meaning: “Woke” comes from Black activists warning each other to stay alert to injustice. It means being aware of unfair treatment and ready to fix it.
Today’s Use: Many MAGA figures use “woke” as a catch-all insult for social justice, education on racism, LGBTQ+ rights, or even accurate news. It’s a way to shut down debate rather than discuss ideas.
Conclusion
H.R. 4 is a brazen power grab disguised as “belt-tightening”—designed to dismantle public media, sever your lifelines, and twist “woke” into an all-purpose insult. Here in Missouri-4, watch Texan transplant Mark “Awful” Alford betray our district and grovel for Trump’s approval as he votes to starve PBS and NPR of every dollar. He’s willing to rip away children’s shows, farm reports, and emergency alerts just to rack up MAGA points. Don’t let him sell us out in silence—demand he stand with Missouri, not Trump, before these devastating cuts become law.
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Locally grown produce at a Missouri farmers market – fresh, safe, and close to home.
I live in a small farming community in Missouri. Lately, I’ve seen prices shoot up at the grocery store—and I’m not alone. My neighbors feel it too. Tariffs pushed by the Trump administration have made it harder to grow food, ship it, or sell it for a fair price.
What Farmers Are Saying
Many Missouri farmers are frustrated. One corn grower north of Kansas City said the rules keep changing, so it’s hard to plan. Things like fertilizer, seeds, and supplies now cost more because of these trade policies. Source:American Farmland Owner
Deals Lost to Other Countries
China used to be one of the biggest buyers of U.S. farm products. But not anymore. One Missouri farmer lost a multimillion-dollar deal with a buyer in China. The buyer backed out because of tariffs. China also blocked soybeans and other crops from U.S. companies. Sources:
Many can’t. Costs for fertilizer and fuel are way up. Interest rates are high too. At the same time, prices for crops like soybeans have dropped by a third. That makes it harder for farmers to make ends meet. Source:Missouri Independent
Food Prices and Safety Concerns
Families are paying more at the store. Meats, eggs, and other basics have gone up over 5% in the past year. On top of that, there have been many food safety warnings. The CDC is tracking at least 17 outbreaks of foodborne illness—mostly from Salmonella. And in many cases, we’re not even told what brand is responsible. Sources:
We should be able to find fresh, local food at local stores. Why are our stores filled with food that traveled 1,000 miles, while nearby growers struggle to sell what they raise? I’d trust beef, eggs, or vegetables from my neighbors before something shipped in from another country.
Local food means fresher meals, fewer safety risks, and less dependence on big corporations. It’s better for our families, our health, and our economy.
Left Behind in a Health Care Desert: Rural Missouri’s Hospital Crisis
By Ricky Dana | July 15, 2025
Washington vs. Missouri
On July 15, 2025, Republicans dropped a $400 million cut to the global AIDS program PEPFAR.
That cut was pulled from a $9 billion rescissions package.
Senator Eric Schmitt led this effort with the White House.
He is working for the executive branch, not the people who elected him.
(Politico)
Updated 2024 Closures
In 2024, two rural health facilities closed in Missouri:
Ridgeview Living Community in Dunklin County closed on May 21, 2024.
Senath South Health Care Center in Pemiscot County closed on October 8, 2024.
No new full hospitals have closed in 2025 so far.
But 43% of rural hospitals are at risk and 17% are in immediate danger because of proposed Medicaid cuts.
Our Rural Health-Care Reality
The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services says 12 rural hospitals closed between 2014 and 2023.
That includes hospitals in Callaway, Audrain, and Cooper counties.
Now, many farm families must drive over 40 minutes for care.
Nearly half of rural hospitals lost money in 2023, and 92 closed nationwide in the last ten years.
Many families face ambulance rides or long drives for lifesaving treatment.
What Needs to Change
Raise Medicaid rates back to at least 6% so hospitals can stay open.
Use telehealth to bring doctors to remote towns.
Reopen and staff Critical Access Hospitals with clear incentives for rural doctors.
Over the past few weeks, the Supreme Court has made decisions that help Donald Trump’s administration strengthen executive power. In multiple key cases, six conservative justices have outvoted the three liberals, weakening courts’ ability to check the president. Many of these rulings came in one-page orders without full explanations, hiding how and why the court sided with the White House. When judges stack power on one side, our system of checks and balances breaks down and the rule of law erodes .
Education Department Ruling
On July 14, 2025, the Supreme Court cleared the way for President Trump to cut nearly half of the Education Department’s staff. A lower court judge had blocked Trump’s plan to fire about 1,400 workers and move functions like student loans and special education to other agencies. By lifting that block, the court let Trump reshape a cabinet agency without Congress’s approval. Critics warn that students with low incomes or special needs could lose vital support if these duties leave the department .
What about Missouri Schools?
This change affects about 892,246 public school students in Missouri (fall 2023) and could leave only about 880,200 by fall 2025. With fewer workers, the department will struggle to enforce civil-rights rules or run programs like Title I funding, special education, and student loan help. Families in both rural and city areas may lose key support, making schools less fair and hurting Missouri students now and in the years ahead
Blocking Nationwide Injunctions and Birthright Citizenship
On June 27, 2025, the Court used a 6–3 vote to limit judges’ power to block Trump’s policies nationwide. In the birthright citizenship case, it ruled that judges can only protect the people who sue, not everyone in the country. That halted lower court orders that had paused Trump’s executive order ending citizenship for babies born to non-citizen parents. The decision did not rule on the policy’s legality, only on who can block it, effectively letting Trump push forward until more courts weigh in .
Other Key Cases
This term, the Supreme Court also backed other Trump moves. It let his administration resume deporting migrants to third countries without a hearing on harm. It upheld a ban on transgender people serving in the military. It allowed the government to freeze or cut payments to groups that carry out federal work. In each case, conservatives used a fast-track “shadow docket” process, leaving people with fewer legal options and speeding up the president’s agenda .
Undermining Congressional Power
The Court has also let Trump bypass rules set by Congress for independent agencies. It allowed him to fire two Democratic labor board members and paused a judge’s order to reinstate three Consumer Product Safety Commission officials. These watchdog agencies were created by lawmakers to protect the public. By siding with the president, the Court weakens Congress’s power to set terms and duties of these officials, giving the White House more control over agencies meant to stand guard over our rights .
Why This Matters
These rulings reshape Washington’s balance of power. By lifting blocks and narrowing who can challenge policies, the Court hands more power to the president and sidelines Congress. This breaks the Constitution’s plan for three branches to share authority. Justice Sonia Sotomayor called the birthright decision a “travesty for the rule of law.” Legal experts warn that deciding by bare-majority orders without transparency erodes trust in all branches of government .
Public Support for Reform
Many Americans see the danger and want change. A recent Pew Research Center survey found 87% of adults favor term limits for members of Congress, and nearly 80% support age or term limits for Supreme Court justices. This broad agreement crosses party lines and shows voters know rules on service length help keep democracy healthy. Reforming term rules for judges and lawmakers is key to restoring balance and trust in government .
Conclusion and Possible Outcomes
If Supreme Court justices decide cases based on personal views instead of the Constitution, we risk:
Unchecked Power: The presidency could act without real limits.
Weakened Laws: Agencies and programs may be dismantled without Congress.
Loss of Trust: When courts side with power, people stop believing in justice.
Risk of Anarchy: With no faith in the system, some may break rules, leading to chaos.
Only 35% of Americans say they trust the judicial system, the lowest level ever recorded . To protect our republic, we must restore judges who follow the Constitution, not personal views. We need term limits for Supreme Court justices and all elected officials. This will help keep power balanced and ensure our courts serve the people — not one man’s power grab.
Support Our Campaign
Help restore checks and balances. Get involved today!
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