Top Republican Has Change Of Heart

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) is taking urgent action to protect vulnerable rural communities after voting for President Trump’s landmark tax reform law — now targeting the Medicaid cuts many say go too far.

Just weeks after the Trump Tax Cuts for Working Americans Act was signed into law on July 4th, Hawley has introduced new legislation to reverse parts of the bill that could devastate rural healthcare access.

🔹 What’s at Stake for Rural America?

Hawley’s bill would:

• Undo restrictions that limit how states can tax healthcare providers to receive extra federal Medicaid funds.
• Eliminate caps on state-directed payments to ensure flexibility in how providers are reimbursed.
• Double rural hospital funding from $50 billion to $100 billion, and extend that aid from 5 years to 10.

“This is about protecting the heartland,” Hawley said. “Now is the time to stop these Medicaid cuts before they hurt the people who need care most. Rural hospitals must be fully and permanently funded.”

🔹 Medicaid Crisis: Rural States Could Lose $155 Billion

Health policy analysts warn the original law could lead to a $155 billion drop in federal Medicaid support across rural regions over the next decade — putting seniors, veterans, and low-income families at risk.

Despite his vote for the tax bill, Hawley was one of the Senate’s loudest critics of the Medicaid provisions. He made clear his priority was preserving care, not cutting it. Now, he’s following through with action.

While many of the cuts haven’t yet taken effect, rural hospitals are already preparing to make painful choices — including service cutbacks or even closures — unless Congress provides immediate relief.

🔹 Conservatives Demand Healthcare That Works — Without Sacrificing Our Communities

Hawley’s move puts him at the front line of a growing push among Republicans to fix healthcare without leaving rural America behind. His plan offers a targeted solution that strengthens Trump’s domestic agenda without sacrificing vital services for seniors and families.

With the 2026 election cycle already taking shape, this fight over Medicaid funding could become a defining issue — especially in battleground states with rural voter bases.