Horsford: GOP Health Care Cuts Imperil Rural Hospitals & Care

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) today used his time on the prestigious House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee to elevate the unique challenges that rural health care providers face from Republican health care cuts, and highlight how those cuts will erode the quality of care for local patients.

Horsford, whose District encompasses 50,000 square miles, including the furthest reaches of Nevada’s open spaces, released the following statement:

“Rural health care providers operate on strained budgets every single day to help residents in remote parts of the country stay healthy and thrive,” Rep. Horsford said. “The health care tax credits at the center of the Republican Shutdown are critical because they provide the most support to communities most in need, ensuring people in every corner of my District get the quality care they deserve.”

Horsford’s efforts come after hosting a virtual round table meeting earlier this month to hear directly from rural health care leaders in his Congressional District.

“From hospitals to nursing homes to specialty services like physical therapy, the threat that Republican cuts pose isn’t just tighter budgets – it’s degraded care and fewer places to receive it,” Rep. Horsford continued. “This is the difference between someone with MS or diabetes going without treatment, or someone with a life-threatening condition like cancer or heart disease facing delays that could cost them their life. There are already places in my district where the closest birthing center is a 90-minute drive away, and now we’re bracing for the possibility that two more hospitals will close.

“Nevadans deserve better than this, and it’s not too late to prevent it,” Rep. Horsford added. “Premiums for 2026 are set on November 1st, which means there are just two weeks for Republicans to join Democrats in ending the harm their “Big Beautiful” law created.”

Rep. Horsford raised alarms early about Republican budget plans, devoting his annual address to the Nevada State Legislature on February 19, 2025 to the threat of Medicaid cuts as the Republican budget took shape.

Since then, he has worked with constituents, advocates, and lawmakers to elevate the real-world harm the cuts would inflict on Nevadans, and published an op-ed warning that Republicans were closer than ever to making the cuts a reality.

Video of Rep. Horsford's comments in the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee is available here.