OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Dr. Mehmet Oz met with U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair to discuss Nebraska\u2019s $218 million allocation through the Rural Health Transformation Program.<\/p>\n
Established in 2025, the program is set to provide up to $50 billion to states over five years.<\/p>\n
Oz and Smith said the funds could help Nebraska hospitals modernize and maintain health care in areas that may lack services.<\/p>\n
Leaders with the Nebraska Hospital Association and Nebraska Rural Health Association raised concerns about the program\u2019s effectiveness, saying not enough money is going directly to rural hospitals.<\/p>\n
They want funding used to update rural hospital equipment and facilities and recruit medical staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think if we can look at really focusing in on workforce solutions that drive and help maintain clinics and hospitals, really become a partner within their community,\u201d said Jed Hansen, Nebraska Rural Health Association Executive Director. <\/p>\n
The hospital leaders also expressed concern about an estimated $1.1 trillion in health care cuts outlined in the \u201cBig Beautiful Bill\u201d and questioned whether the rural health program would be a sufficient replacement. Oz said the $1.1 trillion figure is inaccurate, saying the legislation addressed a projected increase in Medicaid spending that risked bankrupting the system.<\/p>\n
He said Smith and his colleagues in Congress \u201chave saved Medicaid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hospital leaders also raised concerns about new Medicaid work requirements.<\/p>\n
The Nebraska Hospital Association said the requirements have already left some people without health care. Smith said those requirements are widely supported.<\/p>\n
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