Experts warn Va. hospitals could close, health insurance premiums could jump after Trump signs big beautiful bill

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia's hospitals are sounding the alarm after President Donald Trump signed his big beautiful bill into law.

"The Senate did a couple of things that, at full implementation, are going to cost hospitals in Virginia more than $2 billion annually based on our projections," said Julian Walker, the Vice President of Communications at the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association.

The latest data from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found that about 11.8 million people could lose their health insurance as a result of cuts made to Medicaid and other programs.

Walker said that could lead to more people showing up at the emergency room without insurance, forcing Virginia hospitals to provide care for them without getting paid. Walker said that the new financial strain may lead to higher healthcare costs for all Americans, not just those people who are currently on Medicaid.

"So the rates for insurance that you and I pay, who have insurance coverage through our employer, those rates are also going to be impacted because the system is absorbing those losses, that uncompensated care," Walker said.

Even worse, Walker said, hospitals, specifically in rural areas, may be forced to make changes or even close altogether.

"If your local hospital closes or your local hospital has to scale back services, your ability to access care at that facility is impacted," Walker said.

In a statement, Republican Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) didn't answer specific questions on the potential for hospitals to close, but provided the following statement on new Medicaid work requirements, which will require most able-bodied adults without dependents to work, volunteer or go to school to qualify for benefits.

For too long, our Medicaid system has been facing a crisis. Last week, I voted in favor of common-sense reforms to the program. This legislation establishes community engagement requirements for able-bodied individuals between the ages of 19 and 64, while maintaining clear exemptions for individuals with disabilities, caregiver responsibilities, and other valid reasons. These reforms will ensure that our most vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women, children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, will continue to have access to the assistance they need. In doing so, we are strengthening Medicaid and reinforcing its long-term sustainability. I deeply appreciate the lifesaving work our Virginia hospitals do to keep our communities healthy and safe, and I remain committed to ensuring Virginians, especially those most vulnerable, can access the care they need."

Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01)

News Channel 11's Richmond sister station reached out to the other four Republican members of Virginia's Congressional delegation who voted for the bill, Reps. Kiggans, McGuire, Cline, and Griffith, for this story, but never heard back.

Meanwhile, Walker says other policy decisions made at the federal level, outside of this bill, could leave even more Americans without health insurance.