Growth in rural hospitals undercuts Democratic attacks on GOP One Big Beautiful Bill

Published September 2, 2026 1:13pm ET



Recent growth in the number of hospitals is undermining claims from Democrats that Republican cuts to Medicaid spending would cause a sweep of health facility closures.

Nearly 500 more healthcare facilities are serving rural and low-income Americans this year than when the GOP passed its major health reform legislation in July 2025, according to new data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

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