Marketplace Morning Report Amid wide healthcare cuts, a bright spot for rural hospitals
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Jan 2, 2026 In this discussion, Elizabeth Tropal, a seasoned Marketplace reporter focusing on healthcare, explores the rising healthcare costs due to the rollback of ACA tax credits and highlights federal efforts to support struggling rural hospitals. Meanwhile, Mitchell Hartman, covering travel and cultural institutions, shares insights on the booming domestic travel market contrasted with a decline in international visitors and its repercussions on U.S. museums, including innovative ways they adapt to changing attendance rates.
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Big Investment For Rural Health
- The federal government launched a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Project to expand care outside cities and suburbs.
- Experts warn the investment may be too late to fully offset immediate losses from expiring subsidies and Medicaid cuts.
Subsidy Rollback Hits Rural Budgets
- Expired enhanced ACA premium tax credits had been worth about $900 per enrolled person and improved rural access and hospital finances.
- Researchers say losing those credits forces households and local hospitals to make painful budget adjustments now.
Invest In Tech And Training
- Invest in technology, partnerships, and training to strengthen rural health ecosystems.
- Use these initiatives to build long-term capacity even while short-term funding gaps persist.