Medicaid Cuts Threaten Hundreds of Rural Hospitals Across US

President Donald Trump's proposed budget bill includes significant Medicaid cuts aimed at reducing federal spending and curbing fraud, but these cuts threaten the financial viability of rural hospitals across the United States. Hospitals in states like Minnesota, Maine, Pennsylvania, and others warn that these reductions could lead to hospital closures, increased uncompensated care, and worse health outcomes, particularly in rural areas where Medicaid covers a large portion of patients. Senate Republicans plan to phase down provider taxes that fund Medicaid programs, a move criticized by some lawmakers for its potential harm to rural health care facilities. Analysts estimate that rural hospitals could lose billions in Medicaid revenue, with obstetrics services especially vulnerable due to high Medicaid coverage rates for births. Democratic senators and healthcare officials have urged President Trump and congressional leaders to reconsider the cuts, emphasizing the essential role Medicaid plays in sustaining rural hospitals and communities. The Senate aims to finalize the bill by early July, with ongoing debates about work requirements and eligibility restrictions that could further reduce Medicaid coverage.