As the Senate deliberates on a proposed spending bill that includes significant cuts to Medicaid, healthcare providers and lawmakers are raising alarms about the potential consequences for rural hospitals. Experts warn that the proposed cuts could lead to the closure of numerous facilities, particularly in areas like Appalachian Kentucky and the Adirondacks, where access to care is already limited. A recent study predicts that these cuts could result in over 16,000 preventable deaths annually, prompting bipartisan concerns in Congress. Critics assert that the bill will disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, with millions potentially losing their health coverage. The health industry is urging lawmakers to reconsider the implications of these funding reductions, as they fear a looming health crisis and an overwhelmed emergency response system if the bill passes.