{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Radio Chatskill","title":"Rural Hospitals Warn of Dire Consequences from Proposed Federal Medicaid Cuts","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":750,"description":"As Congress weighs a budget proposal that could slash $4 billion from the federal Medicaid program, health officials and local leaders are raising alarm about what the cuts would mean for rural communities. At a press conference on Friday, June 26, hosted by Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Deborah Hogan joined other members of the Shapiro administration to call attention to the far-reaching impacts of the proposed changes.Liam Mayo of The River Reporter was at the press conference, which focused on both the human and systemic consequences of the federal budget bill, which health leaders say threatens to dismantle crucial supports in areas already struggling to meet demand.Hundreds of Thousands Could Lose CoverageAccording to estimates shared by state officials, approximately 300,000 Pennsylvanians could lose Medicaid coverage if the cuts go through. Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys added that another 270,000 residents with individual insurance purchased through the state marketplace, Pennie, could also lose coverage if tax credits included in the American Rescue Plan are allowed to expire.New York is projected to see even greater losses, with 1.5 million residents statewide potentially impacted. In the 19th Congressional District—which includes Sullivan County—an estimated 37,500 people could lose insurance, according to the Fiscal Policy Institute.Rural Hospitals on the BrinkJames Pettinoto, CEO of Wayne Memorial Hospital, described the rural healthcare system as already under duress. While the hospital has made strides to expand services with help from local and state government support, Petinotto warned that any federal cuts would reverse that progress.“The proposed budget cuts would likely force us over time to reduce services and continue to leave the most vulnerable population of patients at greater risk for disastrous health outcomes,” Pettinoto said.He also highlighted the...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/q7XXsnSXT_u4mZLCn3chUorwDmUD_kWiB272D6emB18/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80N2Uy/OGY5MWUwZThkYTEw/NDVkZGM2ZGZkZDIw/ZjliOS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}