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.

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*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