Tell Congress: Stop Rural Health Care Extortion

Rural America is facing a health care crisis. Hospitals are closing at an alarming rate, forcing patients to drive hours for basic care.

But instead of putting people first, Trump is threatening to withhold $50 billion in aid from blue states.

The Trump administration is requiring states to pledge to adopt White House policies—from restricting food stamps to implementing fitness tests—just to compete for funding Congress already promised. Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan called it "sort of blackmail."

Here's what makes this unconscionable: rural hospitals stand to lose $70 billion from Medicaid cuts—far more than the $50 billion fund offers. And only 15% of any awarded money can address the immediate crisis forcing closures: unpaid patient care.

Meanwhile, half the fund will be dispensed at the discretion of TV host Dr. Mehmet Oz, Trump’s hand-picked head of Medicaid and Medicare, raising serious concerns about politicization over need.

Rural communities shouldn't have to surrender their independence to keep hospitals open.

Tell Congress: Pass legislation requiring rural health funds be distributed by need, not politics.

In solidarity,

Action Collective