Trump, Republicans Shut Down Virginia Rural Health Clinics

Augusta Medical Group announced days ago that it would permanently close three health clinics in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. The clinics were located in Buena Vista, Churchville, and Weyers Cave, all in the rural I-81 corridor that runs through the western part of the Commonwealth. Augusta's announcement of the closures said they were "part of Augusta Health's ongoing response to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act," the sprawling law enacted by Republicans in Congress and signed by President Trump earlier this summer that showered enormous tax cuts on the wealthy while slashing health care for millions of Americans.

Democrats in Virginia's congressional delegation repeatedly warned their Republicancolleagues that passage of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" would lead to closures of medical facilities serving Virginia's rural communities. Virginia Republicans ultimately rejected those concerns and supported the bill anyway.

Today Virginians are unfortunately learning that warnings of closures were well-founded:

Richmond Times Dispatch: Three Va. Health Clinics Close As Trump Tax Law Squeezes System

"When President Donald Trump signed the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" into law July 4 in the White House Rose Garden, he sealed the fate of three health care clinics in the rural Shenandoah Valley. … [T]he massive tax-cut package - partly paid for with cuts to Medicaid and its reimbursements to health care providers - "made our decision very clear," said Mary Mannix, president and CEO of Augusta Health and a member of the physician organization's board of directors."

Virginia Mercury: Augusta Health Closes Three Clinics, Citing One Big Beautiful Bill Act

"About 21% of 6th Congressional District residents are on Medicaid, according to the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services. The 6th District includes much of Shenandoah Valley… Most Republicans - including all of Virginia's Republican congressional delegation - supported the President Donald Trump-backed bill."

These three clinics may not be the only health facilities to close as a result of the law's passage:

WVEC [Norfolk]: Southampton Medical Center At Risk Of Closure After Medicaid Cuts Hit Rural Hospitals

"Southampton Medical Center is one of six Virginia hospitals at risk of shuttering its doors, following cuts to Medicaid brought on by the Trump Administration's budget bill.

Billions of dollars are set to leave rural hospitals nationwide as a part of the cuts."

Republicans who voted for the cuts that led to these closures have nothing to say so far:

Virginia Dogwood: Virginia Republicans Silent As Trump's Medicaid Cuts Blamed For Rural Clinics Closing

The clinic closures are big news in western and southwest Virginia:

Cardinal News [Southwest Virginia]: Medical Facilities In 3 Shenandoah Valley Communities To Close; Augusta Medical Group Cites One Big Beautiful Bill As Reason

"Augusta Medical Group announced Thursday that it's closing primary care facilities in Buena Vista, Churchville and Weyers Cave in response to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Patients will be transferred to or "encouraged" to visit to other Augusta Medical Group facilities, the Buena Vista patients to Lexington, the Churchville patients to Verona, the Weyers Cave patients to Crozet, Staunton, Stuarts Draft or Waynesboro. Of note: Crozet is on the other side of the Blue Ridge."

WDBJ [Roanoke]: Buena Vista Health Clinic Set To Close

WHSV [Harrisonburg]: Augusta Medical Group To Consolidate Clinics, Partly In Response To 'Big Beautiful Bill'

"Augusta Health's president, Mary Mannix, spoke with WHSV in July about the impacts of the bill. At the time, Mannix said about 70% of the patient population at Augusta Health was on the Medicare or Medicaid system, which is expected to see $1 trillion worth of cuts over the next 10 years due to the bill."

WSET [Lynchburg]: Some Patients Will Have To Travel For Healthcare As Buena Vista Clinic Closes

"Locals tell me that the clinic closing its doors is disappointing. While there is a Carillion Clinic Family Medicine nearby, many patients will have to travel to other Augusta Health locations for care."

WFXR [Roanoke]: Augusta Medical Group To Consolidate Three Clinics, Buena Vista Patients Reassigned

Staunton News Leader: Warner And Kaine Respond To Augusta Health Clinic Closures

WVTF Virginia Public Radio: Augusta Medical Group Closing Three Clinics

"Difficulty recruiting medical professionals and the forecasted impacts of the Trump administration's healthcare funding cuts have led Augusta Medical Group to close three facilities."

Rappahannock News [carrying the Mercury story]: Shenandoah Valley Health System Closes Three Clinics, Citing One Big Beautiful Bill Act