Medicare Cuts Put PA Hospitals at Risk

Patient advocate says she hopes changes don’t go through

By Danielle M. Smith - Public News Service
The Tube City Almanac
July 01, 2025
Posted in: State & Region

The Trump Administration’s budget — which the president and Republicans have called the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” — hit a roadblock after the Senate parliamentarian has ruled that a key Medicaid provider tax change violates chamber rules.

The House version would slash federal Medicaid spending by at least $700 billion to help fund tax cuts and other Trump-era priorities.

Molly McCullough, a telemetry float registered nurse in southwestern Pennsylvania, warned the cuts could put seniors at risk and threaten rural hospitals. She said many older adults in this part of the state depend on Medicaid, adding that she hopes the Senate’s action helps protect their care.

“The Medicaid information has been taken out of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’” she said. “It was actually stricken from the bill because the nonpartisan people who referee the Senate had it struck from the bill. But then we have to consider, how will Republicans re-approach?”

Medicaid supports about 3 million Pennsylvanians across all 67 counties. McCullough said no matter what changes the Senate makes, the bill would still need to return to the House for approval, and Republicans may have to rewrite or scrap major parts to keep it alive.

McCullough said Medicaid is a significant source of hospital funding in Pennsylvania and nationwide, adding that some patients rely on Medicaid because they have no other option. She warned that cuts to the program could leave vulnerable seniors without long-term care, and many hospitals could be hit the hardest.

“In rural areas, people really benefit from Medicaid, and if that Medicaid funding is cut, then hospitals don’t get paid,” she said. “So if hospitals don’t get paid, then they close or they pass on the cost to all consumers.”

McCullough said Gov. Josh Shapiro has been a strong voice for health care and education, helping to protect patients and nursing staff.

She credited Pennsylvanians who spoke out to lawmakers for pushing back on the harmful Medicaid proposals in the reconciliation bill, but warned the bill still threatens nurse education funding and critical research tied to patient safety.

 Danielle M. Smith is a producer for Public News Service, where this story first appeared. An award-winning radio journalist/personality with more than a decade of experience in broadcast media, she is a former audio journalist with American Urban Radio Networks and Sheridan Broadcasting Networks who also hosts a weekly community affairs show “Good News” on WGBN (1360 AM/98.9 FM).

Originally published July 01, 2025.

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