Representative Trahan Warns of Hospital Closures and Medicaid Cuts Under Proposed Bill

WASHINGTON D.C. – Representative Lori Trahan voiced strong opposition to a proposed bill, dubbed "Trump's Big, Ugly Bill," during a recent congressional session, warning of its severe implications for healthcare services across the nation. Trahan asserted that the legislation, if passed, would lead to the closure of vital hospital departments, including maternity wards, mental health services, and emergency rooms. "This isn't hypothetical. It's already happening," Representative Trahan stated, citing that from 2011 to 2023, dozens of hospitals in states like Iowa and Texas have already eliminated obstetrics entirely. She emphasized that under the proposed bill, Medicaid departments, which cover over 40% of children, would be among the first services to face cuts. Trahan further highlighted concerns that the bill would eliminate programs responsible for training most pediatricians. "Hospitals are already bracing. They're pausing projects, they're canceling expansions, they're shelving cost-saving investments," she explained, adding that the chaos created by the budget, including decimating NIH, is driving up costs. The Representative concluded by stating, "People are going to die" if these essential services are cut.