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STATEMENT: Oklahoma Hospitals vanish one by one as gop's health care cuts push health care system to the brink. October 1, 2026. Washington D.C. - This week, Trump is heading to Oklahoma, where his health care cuts have devastated the local health care system, forcing 40 hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes to close, cut services, or face the risk of doing so. Representative Stephanie Bice plunged working families into a health care crisis when she stood shoulder to shoulder with Trump to pass the largest health care cuts in history to bankroll tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. Now, Oklahoma hospitals and clinics are facing a $265 million loss in funding and a 12.4% spike in uncompensated care. Just last week, Ascension St. John Nowata announced it will be ending inpatient services, making it one of seven Oklahoman hospitals to be designated a "rural emergency hospital." Over the next decade, losses are expected to snowball dramatically, with Republican cuts ripping away a staggering $10.7 billion from Oklahoma hospitals. In response, President Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: "Stephanie Bice should be ashamed of herself. Her decision to stand with Trump and cut $1 trillion from health care to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations has ripped care away from thousands of Oklahoma families that need it most. Because of her vote, almost every week, Oklahomans read about another hospital closure, another service cut, and another round of layoffs. Expectant mothers are being forced to travel farther to deliver their babies, seniors are being kicked out of nursing homes, and patients are facing longer wait times. Oklahomans are living in fear as their local health system gets pushed to its limits - and all to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. Working families are sick of it, and this November, Republicans will pay the price." Trump and Republicans in Congress Leave Oklahoma Hospitals Without a Lifeline. Trump and congressional Republicans slashed over $1 trillion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to bankroll tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. Since the passage of H.R. 1, over 1,250 hospitals, wards, clinics, and other providers nationwide have closed, announced closure, made cuts, or are at risk of cuts or closure. In Oklahoma, there are 40 providers who have made cuts or layoffs, announced their closure, or are at risk of cuts or closure. Rural Hospitals Are Under Fire. Rural hospitals in Oklahoma are particularly in danger of cuts or closure thanks to Republican cuts. The Oklahoma Hospital Association cited changes to Medicaid have put 97 hospitals that are already struggling with negative profit margins in danger of even bigger cuts in 2028. Oklahoma hospitals will see a decrease of $10.7 billion over the next decade in Medicaid funding. "If funding impacts hospitals the way it's predicted to do and hospitals shut down, it's going to be a burden on patients who need timely access to critical interventions that could be life-saving for them," said Chris Wright, CEO of Purcell Municipal Hospital. Purcell, while being identified as at risk of cuts or closure itself, has seen an uptick in patients due to hospital closures in the surrounding region. "They'll be delayed because they will have to go another 25 to 30 miles farther down the road." Dr. Woody Jenkins, co-chair of the rural physician section of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, said, "It's a strain on the whole system, and when one domino falls, the next one is more vulnerable." Providers Who Are Forced to Make Cuts or Closures: Integris Health Dermatology in Oklahoma City announced the closure of its clinic in June. Patients of the clinic received a letter notifying them of the closure that read, "This decision was made after careful consideration of the anticipated financial impact to the organization resulting from the one big beautiful bill, which was signed into law in July 2025." Other Integris Health clinics across the state are also undergoing layoffs and closures. In a statement, Integris said the decisions are tied to cuts to Medicaid and Medicare funding included in H.R. 1. "The health system says those funding reductions are expected to result in a $130 million loss for the medical group." Ascension St. John Nowata has forfeited its inpatient services in order to qualify for Congress' rural emergency hospital designation. Rural emergency hospitals receive $295,000 per month to maintain outpatient and availability of 24/7 emergency services. Ascension St. John Nowata has become the 7th rural emergency hospital in Oklahoma. The next closest hospital that has inpatient services is Ascension St. John's Bartlesville, about 30 minutes away. Nowata residents are not happy with this change. Residents organized a community group called Save Its Hospital and collected over 1,100 signatures requesting Ascension St. John Nowata keeps its inpatient services. Nowata residents are older and are more likely to live in poverty than the rest of Oklahoma. "I am nervous that if we lose true hospital support, that it's not going to help Nowata grow. And that's really what I want is to see Nowata succeed as a city," said Kelly Parsons, a member of Save Our Hospital. "Because if you look at old pictures and videos of Nowata, even up until the 90s, it was a happening place for a small town. And to see its state now and know what it used to be is really sad." * Previous PostSTATEMENT: Ohio Leads Nation in ACA Enrollment Decline as Republican Cuts Cause Hospitals Across the State to Disappear * Next PostNow Fifth PA Measles Death Reported As Trump, RFK Jr Demonize MMR Vaccine

Baptist Health names Stewart as president of hospitals in Fort Smith, Van Buren. September 25, 2026 FORT SMITH, Ark. - Baptist Health is proud to announce the promotion of Brandi Stewart, MBA, BSN, RN, to president of the River Valley Region, effective immediately. Stewart has successfully served as interim president since late April, providing steady leadership and a strong commitment to the community. Stewart joined Baptist Health in 2024 as the chief nursing officer for Baptist Health hospitals in Fort Smith and Van Buren, as well as the system's River Valley clinics. Her appointment reinforces Baptist Health's ongoing commitment to the River Valley and ensures that patients and staff continue to have dedicated leadership focused on quality, faith-based care. "I am honored to step into this role permanently and continue working alongside our team to serve the River Valley," said Stewart. "I am passionate about working closely with all members of a patient's care team to improve safety, communication and the overall experience for both patients and their families." With over 27 years of nursing and health care leadership experience, Stewart previously served as vice president and chief nursing officer of INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital in Yukon, Oklahoma, where she led initiatives to improve patient care and clinical outcomes. Stewart earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration from American Sentinel University in Aurora, Colorado. An Oklahoma native, Stewart and her husband, Rodney, have three adult children and four grandchildren. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, camping, traveling and watching her grandchildren play sports. Joining Stewart in a leadership role, Cindy Pratt has been named director of hospital and practice operations. Pratt has already been performing these duties, establishing a strong, collaborative partnership with Stewart to support daily hospital and clinic operations across the River Valley. About Baptist Health For more than a century, Baptist Health has delivered all its best in health care through Christian compassion and innovative services. Baptist Health, Arkansas' most comprehensive health care organization, is here For You. For Life. - with more than 300 points of access that include 14 hospitals; urgent care centers; a senior living community; over 75 primary and specialty care clinics; a college with studies in nursing and allied health; and a graduate residency program. It is also the largest private not-for-profit health care organization based in Arkansas, providing care through the support of approximately 12,000 employees, groundbreaking treatments, renowned physicians and community outreach programs. Baptist Health is certified as a Great Place to Work and is honored by Newsweek as one of America's Most Admired Workplaces 2026. For more information about Baptist Health, visit Baptist-Health.org, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST or download the myBaptistHealth app. Find Baptist Health on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.