Federal Medicaid cuts threaten Iowa’s already struggling rural hospitals. Nearly half operate at a loss, and proposed $4 billion in funding reductions for Iowa could force more closures in communities that can’t afford to lose their healthcare lifelines.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers and Avery Staker dig into why rural health providers are taking these so seriously.
Toss some bags about a “research victory” leaving US research in the hole… why a successful vocation program is getting the axe… and why egging’s decline may be our country’s greatest recession indicator.
Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line with music by Avery Mossman and show art by Desirée Tapia. We are a proud member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.
*LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO CORNHOLE CHAMPIONS:*
– YouTube – https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2LsUFhizO07jdk5Wav4mOT7tArltF8z5&si=FryZd7N7tG5tJ5Ju
– Substack – https://cornholechampions.substack.com/
– Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cornhole-champions-podcast/id1779497714
– Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5rzNpiA4IwgLmxbyrhETY6?si=6c4a527fa9ad4f64
– PocketCasts – https://pca.st/74atty1j
… and everywhere you listen to podcasts
*FOLLOW ZACHARY OREN SMITH ON SOCIAL MEDIA:*
– Twitter – https://x.com/zacharyos
– Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/zacharyosmith
– Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/zacharyos.bsky.social
– Threads – https://www.threads.com/@zachosmith
– LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyos/
*FOLLOW IOWA STARTING LINE ON SOCIAL MEDIA:*
– Twitter – https://twitter.com/iastartingline
– Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IowaStartingLine
– TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@iowastartingline
– Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/iowastartingline
– YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@UCXN791Qw5opBRLyvTWYl43w
*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 – Cold Open – Egging Houses and Economic Anxiety – Discussion about childhood pranks becoming too expensive in current economy
04:00 – Show Introduction – Zachary Oren Smith with Amy Rivers and Avery Staker
05:00 – Rural Hospital Crisis – Federal Medicaid cuts threatening small-town hospitals, focusing on “Big Beautiful Bill” reconciliation package
06:00 – Medicaid Cut Details – Work requirements, cost-sharing increases, and federal matching rate reductions for expansion states like Iowa
07:30 – Washington County Hospital CEO Letter – Warning about rural hospital survival crisis and community impact
08:30 – Cost Shifting vs Cost Savings – How Medicaid cuts shift expenses to emergency rooms and social services
09:30 – Personal Impact Story – Tony and Lori Luckin family facing loss of Medicaid waiver for ventilator-dependent care in Sergeant Bluff
12:30 – Iowa’s Waiver System Problems – Lack of appeal process compared to neighboring states like Nebraska and Missouri
13:30 – Hospital Funding Mechanics – How hospital taxes create federal match funds that get redistributed back
14:30 – Medicaid Recipients Are Rural – Why these cuts disproportionately harm rural communities and hospitals
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Iowans and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at Iowa Starting Line has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Iowan families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.
WATCH: Iowa becomes first state to strip trans civil rights (PT 1) – Cornhole Champions #31
Iowa makes devastating history this week---becoming the first state ever to strip away existing civil rights protections from transgender residents....
WATCH: Trump’s federal cuts target Ottumwa Job Corps site
The Trump administration wants to cut Job Corps programs across the country, which will leave a big gap in Ottumwa's community. Learn more about it...
WATCH: Iowa becomes first state to cut trans civil rights protections
This morning, Iowa became one of the first states to remove the civil rights of transgender residents. Here's one story from an Iowan impacted by...
WATCH: The GI Bill proves social safety nets work
Where's the love for social safety nets? Check out the newest episode of Cornhole Champions here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzECAsvY2wI
WATCH: Rep. Miller-Meeks does not want to make Medicaid better
US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks says the US Senate GOP bill and its massive cuts to Medicaid are too much. But will that change her willingness to...
WATCH: Why Iowa public schools are required to let private school kids play sports
“Survival mode.” That’s what Rep. Heather Matson says Iowa’s public school districts are operating in these days. And in just a couple of short...
