Beshear Blasts Trump Spending Bill as Threat to Rural Hospitals

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Published Jul 6, 2025, 09:36 PM

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear warned that President Donald Trump’s recently enacted tax-and-spending package will hit rural communities particularly hard, predicting the loss of health coverage for about 200,000 Kentuckians and the elimination of 20,000 health-care jobs in the state. Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” the Democrat called the measure “the single worst piece of legislation I’ve seen in my lifetime.”

The law, dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” was passed by the Republican-controlled Congress on 3 July and signed by Trump the following day. It imposes new work requirements and other restrictions on Medicaid while offering a $50 billion fund aimed at supporting rural hospitals. Beshear and health-policy analysts contend the fund falls far short of offsetting an estimated $155 billion decline in federal Medicaid spending in rural areas, a gap he said could force up to 35 rural hospitals in Kentucky to shut their doors.

Republican sponsors argue the work-requirement language will bolster the program’s sustainability and resonate with voters. Beshear countered that the added paperwork will remove eligible recipients from the rolls and weaken local economies by eroding one of the largest employment bases in rural counties. The dispute sets the stage for further clashes over health policy as states assess the fiscal and social impact of the law.

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