ICYMI: MercyOne making more cuts because of the Republican Tax Law

Iowans are paying for Rep. Nunn’s choice to side with billionaires

Last month, MercyOne announced it will close its family and internal medicine facility in Ottumwa, part of Iowa’s third Congressional District, represented by Congressman Zach Nunn.

Since then, they have announced layoffs in Des Moines and Mason City, citing federal cuts as the reason. All four members of Iowa’s Republican U.S. House delegation — Reps. Nunn, Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Randy Feenstra — voted for the Republican Tax Law that included disastrous cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, and put rural hospitals at risk of closing. Congressman Nunn recently said that he wants to eliminate the ACA entirely, which would put further strain on hospitals’ budgets and cost Iowans even more. All of these cuts were made in order to fund permanent, massive tax breaks for billionaires and large corporations. 

In MercyOne’s statement they said that rising costs and lower enrollment in health care programs are straining health care providers. 

“The recent and future government funding policy changes are projected to reduce Trinity Health’s annual revenue by $1.5 billion. Additionally, more reductions in coverage, payment and access to Medicaid and Medicare are being considered by the federal government. It is not possible to simply absorb such a significant financial impact.”