U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, spoke on the Senate Floor about the $50 billion Rural Hospital Fund, which was included by Republicans in the One Big Beautiful Bill to support rural hospitals.
According to Barrasso, Democrats are proposing legislation to repeal the healthcare section of the bill. He stated: “Yesterday, the Minority Leader came to this Floor and then held a press conference. The Minority Leader bragged – bragged – that Democrats were introducing a bill to repeal the entire healthcare section of the One Big Beautiful Bill.”
Barrasso argued that this move would remove critical funding for rural hospitals. “Here is what the Minority Leader won’t tell you: the Democrats’ plan would eliminate the $50 billion designated for rural hospitals all across America. The Minority Leader won’t tell you that because he prefers to focus on fear rather than the facts,” Barrasso said.
He described challenges facing rural hospitals since Obamacare became law, noting closures and ongoing financial difficulties. “Republicans created the Rural Hospital Fund because rural hospitals are in trouble. In the last decade, since Obamacare became law, over 100 rural hospitals have closed. Only 10 new ones have opened. Hundreds more are now at risk of closing due to the financial strain,” he said.
Barrasso emphasized Republican efforts to address these problems through dedicated funding and criticized Democratic opposition: “The $50 billion Rural Hospital Fund was created to address this crisis. Every single Democrat voted against it. Now, they want to eliminate it – regardless of the damage it will do to healthcare for rural America.”
He concluded by stating: “With their actions yesterday here in the United States Senate, Democrats would make our healthcare system weaker for those who need it the most.”
