Republican health care cuts shutter another labor and delivery unit in Iowa

Iowans are paying for Rep. Miller-Meeks’ decision to cut Medicaid

Last week, MercyOne said its Clinton Medical Center will no longer offer labor and delivery services due to rising costs and federal cuts to programs like Medicaid. 

This is the latest in a series of cuts announced by MercyOne in Iowa following the closure of their Ottumwa clinic and layoffs in Des Moines and Mason City due to federal funding cuts. All four members of Iowa’s Republican U.S. House delegation — Reps. Zach Nunn, Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Randy Feenstra — voted for the Republican Tax Law that made disastrous cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, and put rural hospitals at risk of closing. In recent years, two other birthing centers have ended services in Miller-Meeks’ district, one in Newton and the other in Fort Madison. 

Lisa, a nurse in Iowa, said that this is a major loss for any community. 

"I’ve seen firsthand how many lives were saved because of the quick response of doctors and nurses,” Lisa said. “Losing the labor and delivery unit isn’t just about job loss at the hospital, it’s about what our community is losing. Clinton County residents will now have to travel farther for care, and people who need emergency services will be at greater risk because the labor and delivery unit is closing. The impact of this decision will be felt deeply in this community.”  

Amy Adams, director of Protect Our Care Iowa, said that this is part of a pattern of attacks on health care by Republicans in Congress.“This isn't just about one hospital closing a unit — this is about a pattern of reckless cuts that put Iowans at risk,” Adams said. “When you slash funding for health care programs that working families depend on, hospitals close, nurses lose their jobs, and communities suffer. Iowa families are watching their health care disappear while Rep. Miller-Meeks and her Republican colleagues in Congress gut Medicaid. It's time to hold them accountable for putting corporate tax breaks over the lives of Iowans.”

Earlier this year, MercyOne released a statement on the announced layoffs that said 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.

Communities are continuing to feel the shockwaves from historic cuts to Medicaid and health tax credits earlier this year. If Miller-Meeks and other Republicans in Congress continue to support further cuts to health care to fund the war in Iran, it would further devastate Iowa hospitals and clinics, losing critical jobs in our towns and ripping care from Iowans in need.