Midterms Focus on Rural Health as Policies Squeeze Providers

March 11, 2026, 9:00 AM UTC

Republicans are emphasizing their focus on rural health—even as facilities face fiscal and workforce hazards from multiple conservative policies implemented by Congress and the Trump administration.

“It’s not hard to message, it’s hard to fix,” said Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor in Alabama.

Rural hospitals and clinics are facing workforce squeezes through the Trump administration’s immigration policy and proposed regulations on federally subsidized student loans. And that’s on top of Medicaid revenue cuts that will hit these same places from the Republicans’ tax law last year.

Sen. Susan Collins (R), who is facing a tough reelection ...

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