OBBBA on House Floor as Future of Rural Hospitals Uncertain
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act works its way through Congress
July 3—Portsmouth
Fiery testimony is being delivered on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for and against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). One of the most controversial aspects of the bill is a nearly $1 trillion dollar cut to public healthcare funds, primarily Medicaid.
Scioto County’s Medicaid enrollment hovers just over 40% of residents.
A recent study published by the University of North Carolina warns the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) on rural hospitals could be significant if passed. Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC) topped the list of medical centers in Ohio under threat.
Top-ranking Senate Democrats wrote a letter to researchers at the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, requesting data and analysis regarding the potential effects of proposed public healthcare cuts. Researchers provided a comprehensive list of rural hospitals in each state most dependent on Medicaid that could experience financial strain if the cuts go through.
Justin Pizzulli (R), representative for Ohio’s 90th District, posted on Facebook last week, “although this is a federal issue, I’m taking action to stand up for our rural hospitals. Southern Ohio Medical Center and Adams County Regional Medical Center are vital to the 90th District, and we can’t afford to lose the funding they rely on.
As co-chair of the Appalachian Caucus, I joined my fellow legislators in sending a letter to Senator Husted and Senator Moreno, urging them to protect funding for rural hospitals across our region. I’m thankful that their offices have been so receptive to me as we advocate for this issue.”
Our communities deserve accessible, quality healthcare—and I’ll continue to fight to make sure they have it.”
“It’s definitely concerning,” Scioto County Commissioner Scottie Powell (R) said at last week’s meeting of the commission. Powell said he understood Senators were working behind the scenes to offset Medicaid cuts. “I know they’re looking heavily at it.”
“Any disproportionate cut is really going to affect not just rural Ohio, but rural America.”
Scioto County Commissioner Bryan Davis (R) said he’s been following the bill closely, and was concerned about its impact on Southern Ohio.
“It’s rural Ohio, is what it is,” Davis said. “The high percentage of recipients that use Medicare, that is something that SOMC has and they only get a certain percentage of that reimbursement.”
Davis explained this drags heavily on the hospital, Scioto County’s largest employer.
“We’re working with the prosecutor’s office to help not only SOMC but also King's Daughters.”
Senate Adds Rural Healthcare Relief Fund
In a last-minute change, Senate Republicans raised the amount for ‘Rural Health Transformation Program’ from $25 million to $50 million to offset anticipated Medicaid cuts should OBBBA pass.
Ohio Senators Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted were thanked by Ohio General Assembly’s “Appalachian Caucus” in a letter for pushing the last minute change through before the Senate passed it July 1.
CEOs of several rural Ohio hospitals also sent a letter of appreciation to the senators. Among the signatories was Ben Gill, CEO of Southern Ohio Medical Center.
Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have accused the GOP of attempting to take away healthcare from nearly 12 million Americans, citing an analysis released by the Congressional Budget Office.