Why Washington faces huge fallout from the Medicaid cuts in Trumps megabill

Astria Health in Toppenish, Washington, warns that recent Medicaid cuts could force its closure, leaving the community without vital healthcare services. The hospital serves multiple underserved populations on the Yakama Reservation, and its loss would create a medical desert. Gov. Bob Ferguson states that the cuts could raise the state's uninsured rate from 4. 8% to over 10%.

Approximately 2 million residents depend on Washington's Medicaid program, underscoring its importance to the healthcare system. Federal funding cuts could amount to $3 to $5 billion annually, challenging hospitals' financial viability. Republicans argue these changes root out fraud and ensure the program's sustainability, while critics highlight the adverse effects on low-income residents. The cuts may also lead to the closure of hospital units, affecting all patients, not just those on Medicaid. Ferguson has indicated that the state cannot compensate for these losses using reserve funds.