Health Care

Rural health advocates mobilize as states face deep Medicaid cuts

State lawmakers must prepare their budgets by assuming significant new costs.
The vacant Martin County General Hospital sits abandoned behind a chain since being closed in August 2023 in Williamston, N.C., shown, April 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker, File)

Health care providers expecting enormous blows to their budgets under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are ramping up advocacy efforts in state legislatures, where lawmakers must now decide how to restructure their Medicaid programs and compensate for steep reductions in federal funding.

As states scramble to understand and implement the sweeping changes — including potential costs to hospitals in the hundreds of billions of dollars — hospital associations, community health centers and patient advocates are mobilizing in capitals across the country. They are urging lawmakers to shield critical services and press federal officials for flexibility. 

Stay informed
Subscribe to keep reading.

Sign up today to get the latest state new at your fingertips and in your inbox.