Want to know the reality of the healthcare cuts and changes in the “budget” bill? Stop listening to pundits and the regime. Instead, hear from an actual concerned physician in Las Vegas, Vignan Manne, MD.
We have many experts as Indivisible Las Vegas members, and we’re sharing their stories to bring truth to the people.
Here’s what he wants you to know.
Impacts Come After the Midterms Because the GOP Are Sneaky Cowards
The majority of the cuts and changes don’t go into effect until October 1, 2026, a tactic by the GOP to underplay its devastating impact and protect them from blowback during the midterms (FYI, every House member is on the ballot in 2026).
It’s easy to think that cuts to Medicaid and Medicare won’t affect you if you’re not covered by either. That’s simply not true. They will impact everyone in both subtle and obvious ways.
Here’s an example Dr. Manne called out: Many hospitals in Nevada and across the U.S., mostly in rural areas, rely on support from the state, county, and city to survive. Those rural hospitals are already on shaky ground and under significant financial pressure. They are either being purchased by larger healthcare groups that shutter them, or they just close.
Some analysis suggests that rural hospitals could lose 21 cents on the dollar. When hospitals go out of business, the entire community loses access to healthcare.
It’s not isolated to rural facilities. Inner city hospitals may feel the impact, too, because they, too, rely on payments from Medicaid and Medicare.
There is a provision in the OBBA setting aside $50 billion for rural hospitals; at a minimum, this is $8 billion short. Budget shortfalls will affect Medicaid patients, and these hospitals will be under more strain to provide care for the uninsured, all while kicking more people off their insurance.
“All residents, rural and urban, are likely to see limited access to healthcare regardless of insurance due to hospital closures.”
How Will This Impact Nevada?
KFF found that at least two rural hospitals in Nevada are in danger, and the state would lose around $232 million in revenue. Over 10 years, that balloons to $9 billion, per KFF.
Hiring freezes are already in place at hospitals in the state, including University Medical Center (UMC). As a result, providers are being stretched to the limit, causing many to work over three weeks straight.
Physicians also don’t have adequate staffing at the clinic level, forcing doctors to get bogged down by work that would typically flow to medical assistants and nurses.
It’s fewer medical professionals still having to serve the same population.
Higher Healthcare Costs
Oh, there’s more because there’s something in this bill for every realm of healthcare. Right now, those who get their insurance through the ACA have tax credit incentives. These will now expire, making it harder for people to afford coverage. Premiums will skyrocket, likely leading to more uninsured patients, adding more costs to the healthcare system.
“This is an evil bill.”
Bill Also Caps Loan Programs, Jeopardizing Future Medical School Enrollees
The bill keeps on destroying every aspect of healthcare. The bill caps loan amounts from the Federal government for students at $200,000, and that cuts off access to students who need it the most. They may be able to get private loans, but the interest rates will be insanely high. If they do go this route, they’ll have to specialize in areas that are the most lucrative, disproportionately impacting primary care.
The bill will likely prohibit those from less affluent households from pursuing a medical career. That’s a loss for America in so many ways.
It’s a GOP Bill, But Democrats Aren’t Innocent
While the votes for this catastrophic budget were solely with the GOP, Democrats have a share of the blame here, too. At Indivisible, we’re about ensuring accountability, no matter the party, and most of the
Democrats didn’t fight back as hard as they could have or deliver information to their constituents about the dangers of the bill. In fact, most still aren’t, and that’s why we’re picking up the slack. We will continue to deliver the facts about the oppressive and un-American impacts of this farce of a budget.