Checking in from Maine. My closest hospital closed their birthing unit recently. Several others are closing entirely or shifting non emergency care to larger hospital systems which are themselves already struggling financially due increased costs and decreased or slow Medicare reimbursements.
Waste in Medicaid and Medicare does not occur on the patient side -- so cutting benefits doesn't prevent fraud or waste. It's a problem of corrupt providers who game the system -- see Fla. Senator Rick Scott -- and nothing DOGE is doing will cure that.
So true! I do claims for a small mental health group and the “managed care providers” (Medicaid contracts out to big insurance) reimbursement is crazy. They pay a claim and then months latter “adjust” the payment (up and down) I have no idea how this is reported to Medicaid.
That ☝️
Urban voters won’t be hit the same. Neighbors, public transport, access. Drug stores everywhere.
I’m in a city. My appointments have been with nurses or P.A.s for the past year, cuz it’s too long a wait for Dr.
I don’t mind at all. My results still get seen by a Dr.
So true. All of us bad city people will weather this disaster easier than rural areas. I don’t wish anything bad on anyone, but after ten years of this MAGA garbage, I really don’t care.
And it's the libs marching in protest every damn week, not the MAGA who are losing everything. They don't even call/email their Congressmen. In a way, they deserve the government they voted for. Lazy bastards are dumbing down their kids and insuring they die of diseases we eradicated decades ago.
GOP - forget poor people and their healthcare needs. Felon Trump has donors to payback with massive (expensive & unneeded) tax cuts. Talking to Felon about closing hospitals is fruitless …. If their isnt a $ in it for him.
I have no idea how our rural hospital was certified by the Joint Commission. No specialists. If you have more than a boo boo, they lifeflight you to the nearest city.
It's only utility is that it's the only place to see a doctor after 5 p.m.
They don't care Molly. We have 6 senior homes in my town. They would all likely shut down or throw residents out. 60% of their money is Medicare/Medicaid. 40% United Health's top line if medicare/Medicaid.
The average MAGAs aren’t even aware of the connections. When they lose their Medicaid, or their rural hospital goes under, it never occurs to them that Trump and the Republicans did this. They’re never told the truth by the right wing medium machine, and when they are they refuse to believe it.
A telling moment at my GOP Rep town hall was his dismissal of an ER doc emphatically explaining these cuts meant his constituents would die from trauma-preventable deaths. He just kept to his Trumpy script. Watching the ER doc leave the podium-dismissed, disrespected. Rep’s loyalty is not with us.
For the Lincoln County residents who WILL SUFFER when your hospital closes...YOU voted to close YOUR hospital (81% for TFFG, 75% for Boebert) and I say,
FAFO.
You voted for Leopards Eating Faces.
Own it.
It was never about Fraud, Waste or Abuse. It's not even being looked for. It is an excuse to take taxpayer money away from benefitting taxpayers and giving it to the wealthy. They just wanted a way to get the public to go along with their theft.
The second paragraph is my response every time someone argues for repealing the ACA or against universal care by saying “I don’t want to pay for everyone else’s healthcare bills.” Um, you already are and have been for years.
(Also people having healthcare is good/cheaper long term.)
Trump and his regime should be liable for every death caused by lack of medical care due to cuts to Medicare and medicaid. What they are doing or allowing to do is criminal. #IMPEACH47
So, they'll pay you to have babies, but won't help you out feeding or caring for them as they grow older. And, God forbid, if they have special/medical needs.
Molly, it's not that trump "seems" to be doing a lot of things that are swampy. Trump is doing corrupt, swampy things IN OUR FACE. All corrupt and craven acts by trump should be taken e actly as they are.
TrumpCare teaser 2: Doctors 2b CEO(practice=business). Health ins gone-“too socialistic” socializes risk/$$$. You’re “on your own”..direct bill for each visit/proc. Patient pays in-full for treatment of catastrophic illness. Doctors seize patient assets for failure to pay. Dr time:MD=40%,CEO=60%.
That’s how it goes. Elect a corrupt billionaire who has never in his life given a damn about the working class and, in reality, detests them then this is what you get. Congrats America.
Republicans do not care as long as they can give tax cuts to billionaires and subsidies to corporations destroying the environment and hurling us deeper into climate change. They’ll find a way to turn a profit off of that too.
People VOTED for their children to lose their healthcare, and they VOTED to lose their doctors. The price of willful ignorance is high. Framing this as something being done to them—rather than something they did to themselves—is neither accurate nor helpful.
Billionaires will have their tax breaks, and, after all, that’s what’s really important. Besides, those are all poor, needy people. 🙄 Trump dreams of being Pope but hasn’t the least idea about true Catholic faith. He’ll never be pope, he’ll never be king, and he’ll never be president again.
These children have parents. Worked out well the last time the wealthy and entitled ignored the suffering of the Jacquerie. Keep giving them reasons to sharpen Madame’s blade.
The only good thing that MIGHT come out of this by the time Trump has finished is that the pressure for a truly comprehensive federal healthcare system will become irresistible? Or maybe that's still a fantasy?
The elderly who cannot travel to the larger hospitals will also suffer. Nursing homes will close also. The most vulnerable people will die and they don’t care. The GOP needs to be seen as the monsters they are.
Republicans are murdering our children. Cutting SNAP, Medicaid, education, school lunches, encouraging child labor while at the same time cutting regulations, removing fluoride from water, gun violence, etc. GOP is literally out to destroy everything and do not care who they kill along the way.
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Waste exists, but slash and burn doesn’t take care of that. One must go in and analyze this cost of procedures and the costs and processes used to do the procedures and be methodical in getting to the bottom line.
Our rural hospital
was closed. Severely impacting mostly the elderly that live here. The hospital group that owned it didn’t care and is selling off the land for development. 20 min ride to the next (overcrowded ) hospital will likely kill people in transit. I’d like to see a report on the effects.
The payor mix in rural areas is so heavily dependent on Medicaid and Medicare that any reduction in reimbursements will shutter many rural hospitals. It has been happening for 20 years. This is a common fact that anyone in healthcare administration could tell you, yet it rarely makes the news.
If they get away with gutting Medicaid, they'll go after Medicare and Social Security next. And then millions of us who worked our whole lives while they dangled the carrot of retirement from a stick to keep us going are screwed. Now there's no carrot, just the stick that beats us into submission.
Molly, do you know in advance of this happening, is there anyone out there that’s attempting to ease the burden for Medicare/Medicaid users? I.e. Mark Cuban was fantastic with bringing down prescription prices. Some of the big insurers have an opportunity to capture new business.
It's 1000% true, and not just for rural hospitals. And it's not only a problem of hospitals closing: it's hospitals getting rid of service lines that lose money. You might have an ER close, but they may have to transfer you, delaying care for hours to even days.
Kicking veterans in the teeth and defunding schools and hospitals in rural areas and yet those people vote over and over and over and over for the same people that have kicked them in the teeth
Between defunding healthcare and this, no wonder they have no teeth
“The proud conservative residents of our community often feel left out of Colorado’s more liberal politics.”
And yet it’s those liberal policies that would likely save them.
Of course they are going to lose their doctor, your voting choice has consequences. The problem is that the uneducated will have a difficult time with following the cause and effect of their choices.
Just like anti-abortion states.
Our rural hospital and nursing homes run on Medicaid. Does MAGA want to bring mom/dad suffering from senile dementia home? With no fed funding for home health which only comes once a week?
Opposing after budget is passed is too late.
It’s a combination of factors. Media captured by right wing-Paxton Media here controls tv, radio, local papers. Jobs that once supported families gone, conservative Christian churches, lack of a diverse population. History of betrayal by pols of both parties. I could go on and on.
Bastard will retire and think back on (in his mind) all the good he did. Protecting Trump, blocking legislation that would have helped Americans, blocking infrastructure bills, blocking border bills. Ah, the good old days, eh Mitch?
No. His crowning achievements are the series of Citizen United cases, blocking Obama nominee for SCOTUS and almost complete dominance of Kentucky politics. Only Beshears stood in his way.
MAGA voted those morons in. MAGA lost control after they were elected. Congress isn't really MAGA. They pretended to get elected. They are Trumpers through and through.
Absolutely spot on. I live in rural eastern Kentucky, we have a good health care system, but only because of Medicare and Medicaid that majority of local patients depend on (me I'm on Medicare due to age). Also our system is dependent on federal grants, many of which are already disappearing.
I think its already started cause I called cvs to order my monthly "Eliquis" & got refused but said they'd try again next month. I'm just glad I got my heart surgery 2yrs. ago cause I don't have the 1/2 -$million$ to pay for it.
I’m not going to second guess your feelings. I will say that those of us with compassion and empathy hurt, a lot. Perhaps we underestimate their capacity for callousness?
Propaganda is relentless.
Just be gentle with yourself and know that none of us are alone.
Sure wish I could see what the article had to say. As a retired travel RN specializing in ER, I took lots contracts in small rural hospitals because demand was very high. We saw anything and everything. Those communities will not survive without them.
A hospital system in Delaware County PA, a major system supporting Chester, a city that’s very poor. This includes 3 hospitals and doctors offices and treats accidents on I95, gun shot wounds, maternity care. The closing is due to being robbed by corporate raiders.
We lost two suburban/rural hospitals in Chester County. Mostly due to mismanagement. My point is it’s not just rural areas. Although travel won’t be two hours, the remaining facilities will be overloaded and are much further to get to. Crozer delivered a baby as the doors were being shut.
Here’s one example. Tn. Republican legislators have repeatedly refused to expand Medicaid since 2012 & 16 rural hospitals have closed. Rural communities will pay a price.
Could be interesting to find out what the big insurance companies are being paid to "manage" Medicaid claims.
Indiana Medicaid uses Anthem, Caresource, Cenpatico (MHS), MDWise, United as "Managed Care Entities". The claime and payments go through them, WHAT IS THEIR CUT???
Trump and RFK don’t care , they are incapable of caring. You can’t appeal to their compassion because they have no capacity to feel empathy, let alone compassion
Thanks Oblique for providing the article. I’m a retired nurse who knew all along that this would be a problem in rural areas. I live in a Red County in Pa. and these morons don’t have a fucking clue how much this administration is going to hurt all of us. They truly believe this will not affect them
I hate to break the news to author Keith but you proud conservatives should have seen this coming. You think this is bad wait until you see the rest of project 2025. No one wants fraud waste and abuse which is why the health plans that run Medicaid have departments to identify it! Wake up Keith.
Those "proud conservatives" in this area are getting exactly what they voted for. Whether they're smart enough to realize that or not is a separate question.
From the article: How will I break the news 2 their families that they may no longer have access 2 essential pediatric care?
***
Tell them the truth. Tell them 2 🛑 voting against policies only 2 hurt the libs. Why? Those policies won’t disproportionately hurt us. Cities have more options. They don’t
It would be a pity if my daughter lost the job she's waited years to get (due to seniority) in a group home - but it is impossible to think about what could happen to her clients who need their meds to keep the voices and hallucinations away. They're safe and well cared for now: but Medicaid cuts?
My town is the place where the small surrounding towns come for the hospitals. The hospitals and clinics are huge employers. The cuts will hit our local economy hard. With the air base and the hospitals, we're basically a fed funded city.
Interesting that Rural America fell for the Conman and voted him in, and is going to suffer the most. They get to drive around in their pickups and flags and watch their children die of diseases that were eradicated years ago, see their grandparents die from lack of care, and their children...
...study the bible instead of learn science and history. And maybe learn some arts and culture from the world instead of the local hillbilly radio station.
Two generations of this and you WILL be a different country because of our lack of literacy and lack of American values.
We already knew decade ago what would happen if hospitals closed in these neighborhoods in America. But the people in some of these states voted for Republicans to do this. They voted to close their own hospital in their town. So have a talk with those people that voted to close their own hospitals.
If the trump administration really wanted to cut waste and fraud instead of just cutting benefits from the patients, it would increase the enforcement actions of the fraud investigations and prosecute those who commit the fraud, mostly providers!
But that would actually benefit the patients, so ...!
As for the waste part of the equation, they would be all over themselves supporting the idea of negotiating the prices of drugs and services to get them down to the level that foreign patients get charges for the same!
But again, that would actually help make medical care affordable, so ...
Beware! The cruel and corrupt Republicans in Congress are attempting to decimate and destroy Medicaid, the ACA, social programs and the economic safety net in order to give massive tax cuts to the selfish wealthy and greedy corporations. Shameful and vile! They must be stopped!
In Northern Michigan not only are the Medicare/Medicaid cuts hurting but the VA cuts. My Dr is retiring due to medical reasons and now the VA CBOCs north of Saginaw do NOT have a practicing physician, their fix is Telehealth or PA's.
Mom's for Medicaid!
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I read that article. All I could think about was his narrow concern. Apparently his community voted for Trump. They didn’t care about LGBTQ issues. They agreed that undocumented people should be rounded up and deported. Because it affects this community, now they are upset.
Medicaid cuts will not only harm citizens in rural communities (large % dep on Medicaid coverage)…they’ll devastate
rural hospitals that are already struggling to stay open.
A related issue is pediatric offices that are heavily dependent on Medicaid and at risk.
Funding Medicaid is vital for rural communities for so many reasons. Congress cuts it at its (and our)peril. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. How many families in this country need Medicaid to care for elderly family members? Or young moms-to-be in need of prenatal care? Facts are facts.
"Hey" can I change a holidays name or date; "Donny 2 fingers sexual assault rapist bone spurs 2 dolls is allowed to", "what happened to the golf of America brain fart", "is a frog's ass water tight", "doesn't the bear s*** in his own woods"!
The plight of rural America is rarely understood and often ignored.
And the most tragic circumstances are in health care.
Thank you to the author of this well written description of the difficult challenges of living in rural areas. Hope it helps.
Comments
http://archive.today/Mmf3g
Urban voters won’t be hit the same. Neighbors, public transport, access. Drug stores everywhere.
I’m in a city. My appointments have been with nurses or P.A.s for the past year, cuz it’s too long a wait for Dr.
I don’t mind at all. My results still get seen by a Dr.
Lara, I’ll take this burden on. You do not need to. I do wish horrible endless pain on all MAGA. May their suffering be legendary.
😉
Thank all the red hat wearing morons !
It's only utility is that it's the only place to see a doctor after 5 p.m.
FAFO.
You voted for Leopards Eating Faces.
Own it.
https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/CO/Lincoln/122636/web.345435/#/summary
What say you @cnn.com @kasie.bsky.social @jaketapper.bsky.social @kaitlancollins.bsky.social?
Any interest in doing some *journalism* anytime soon?
(Also people having healthcare is good/cheaper long term.)
FAFO.
Now they're going to eat YOUR face.
https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/CO/Lincoln/122636/web.345435/#/summary
The only way to stop it is to show the world that we’re not stupid uneducated and blind And the only way to do that is to get rid of Orange Jesus.
#FAFO
we demand accountability from these tyrants
Find your local protest - 100+ locations
🎯 https://antimagaclub.com/find
�� @antimagaclub.bsky.social
@jennmck.bsky.social @whittlesworth.bsky.social @drharmony.bsky.social
was closed. Severely impacting mostly the elderly that live here. The hospital group that owned it didn’t care and is selling off the land for development. 20 min ride to the next (overcrowded ) hospital will likely kill people in transit. I’d like to see a report on the effects.
Between defunding healthcare and this, no wonder they have no teeth
And yet it’s those liberal policies that would likely save them.
Actually, we know what it means...
Just like anti-abortion states.
Opposing after budget is passed is too late.
Those that can will move to cities.
Hospitals closed.
Secondary economy fail
Rural friends may have to travel 2-3 counties for emergency help.
GOP always knew that NOT expanding Medicare would decimate families.
Medical bankruptcies wipe out saving of entire families.
CRUELTY IS THE KEY
Propaganda is relentless.
Just be gentle with yourself and know that none of us are alone.
Honor your heart, mind & wisdom.
Eugenics includes eliminating the poor and disabled-
Not just Black folks!
Know your (our) history ppl.
I don’t have any sympathy for them
Elections have consequences
Now everyone is screwed because almost half of the population hate America
#wetriedtotellya
#fafo
To say that it’s very concerning is an understatement.
Sending you good wishes.
Saw a related post from Mark Cuban you might find of interest:
https://bsky.app/profile/thetnholler.bsky.social/post/3locrx6r2e22g
Indiana Medicaid uses Anthem, Caresource, Cenpatico (MHS), MDWise, United as "Managed Care Entities". The claime and payments go through them, WHAT IS THEIR CUT???
https://dnyuz.com/2025/05/02/what-medicaid-cuts-would-do-to-my-rural-hospital/
https://youtu.be/Gi8elkpbbgM?si=alPoav09l41Bcdeh
Team "getting beat by hayseeds" doesn't inspire confidence in me lately so they won't step up to do shit.
Watch.
***
Tell them the truth. Tell them 2 🛑 voting against policies only 2 hurt the libs. Why? Those policies won’t disproportionately hurt us. Cities have more options. They don’t
Two generations of this and you WILL be a different country because of our lack of literacy and lack of American values.
But that would actually benefit the patients, so ...!
But again, that would actually help make medical care affordable, so ...
They have no plan to replace him.
Health care should never be a luxury. Moms Rising is pushing for affordable, accessible health care for all families—because no one should have to choose between medical bills and basic needs. Join the fight!
#MomSky #MamásConPoder
https://bsky.app/profile/momsrising.org
Thanks!
This first-person article highlights the challenges our rural hospitals will face w/o Medicaid.
Medicaid cuts will not only harm citizens in rural communities (large % dep on Medicaid coverage)…they’ll devastate
rural hospitals that are already struggling to stay open.
A related issue is pediatric offices that are heavily dependent on Medicaid and at risk.
And the most tragic circumstances are in health care.
Thank you to the author of this well written description of the difficult challenges of living in rural areas. Hope it helps.