Marketplace Morning Report Can a slush fund transform rural health care?
Jul 18, 2025
Lawmakers have set aside $50 billion to transform healthcare in rural America, but leaders fear the funds may not reach those in need. Chronic diseases, lower incomes, and shorter lifespans plague these areas. Meanwhile, Crypto Week wraps up with new regulations approved by the House, affecting the future of digital assets. TSMC reports record profits, highlighting its critical role in the tech industry and supply chains, raising questions about the semiconductor landscape and the challenge of replicating its success in the U.S.
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Rural Health Fund Amid Medicaid Cuts
- The GOP tax law cut Medicaid significantly but allocated $50 billion to rural health care over five years.
- There is uncertainty about how effectively this money will be distributed within rural areas to meet patient needs.
Concerns Over Fund Distribution
- Rural health clinics worry about confusion over who will receive and how the rural health transformation funds will be used.
- Political decisions may misalign fund allocation with actual patient and community health needs.
Medicaid Cuts Threaten Rural Health
- Despite rural areas having the highest Medicaid enrollment, federal Medicaid spending is slated to be cut by about $1 trillion over the next decade.
- This will lead to millions of rural Americans losing their health insurance coverage despite the new funding.