Safeguarding rural healthcare: BVHS needs your help

Late last month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed President Trump's sweeping economic agenda, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." This bold package addresses critical national priorities, from tax relief for working families to infrastructure investments and border security enhancements. Many of these provisions have broad support and reflect sound policy for strengthening our nation's economy and security. I applaud the ambition of this legislation; however, I must sound an urgent alarm about the bill's proposed Medicaid changes, which, without targeted amendments in the Senate, could devastate rural hospitals and jeopardize access to care for northwest Ohio. Healthcare is more than complex, and rural hospitals like Blanchard Valley Health System face unique challenges. Hospitals like BVHS serve as a lifeline for northwest Ohio, delivering emergency care, specialized treatments, and supporting thousands of jobs. Yet, 50% of Ohio hospitals are already losing money due to inflation, declining reimbursements, and insurance denials. The bill's proposed Medicaid cuts, estimated to reduce funding by $880 billion over the next decade, threaten to push rural hospitals like BVHS to the breaking point. Medicaid covers over 50% of births, 12% of care for seniors, 40% of children in Ohio, and most nursing home residents. At BVHS, Medicaid accounts for a significant portion of our revenue. Yet, Medicaid already reimburses just 76 cents for every dollar of care that BVHS provides. If this bill isn't changed and Medicaid sees even more cuts, it would force us to reduce the valuable services that our community depends on every day. This is not a call to reject the bill outright. Many of its components — tax incentives for small businesses, economic growth initiatives, and other non-healthcare provisions—are widely supported and could benefit our region; however, the Medicaid provisions, as currently drafted, fail to account for the fragile economics of rural healthcare. Small, precise changes could make all the difference. For example, adjusting Medicaid funding to reflect the higher costs of rural care delivery or providing transitional support for hospitals adapting to block grant systems would help ensure BVHS can continue offering our continuum of services without undermining the bill's broader goals. I'm deeply grateful to our Ohio Senators; Bernie Moreno and the team of Jon Husted have taken the time to engage in significant conversations with me about this critical issue. Their willingness to listen, care, and commit to working with BVHS to protect rural hospitals is a vital step forward. They need your support to turn that commitment into action. The Senate is now reviewing this bill, and amendments are expected. Senators Moreno and Husted care about Ohio and have the power to protect rural healthcare—but they need to hear from you. I urge every resident of northwest Ohio to contact them. Visit congress.gov/contact-us to send a quick email or make a phone call. Tell them that BVHS is not just a hospital but a cornerstone of our region's health and economy. Ask them to support small, deliberate adjustments to the Medicaid provisions—using a scalpel, not a hatchet—to preserve access to care. At BVHS, we've been committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care for you and your loved ones for more than 125 years. We're also taking our own proactive steps, such as joining the Ohio High Value Network, to strengthen rural healthcare through innovative clinical and business initiatives. But we cannot do this alone. The challenges we face are complicated, and addressing them requires collaboration and precision. By advocating for BVHS, choosing to receive your care here, and encouraging your friends and family to do the same, you can help ensure that our community's healthcare remains strong. We're here for you. Thank you for being here for us. Myron D. Lewis is the President and CEO of Blanchard Valley Health System in Findlay, Ohio.