Hospitals are not closing down

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The hospitals in the area say that they will continue to serve the region, despite possible cuts in Medicaid funding which were approved by Congress last year.

Public Citizen, a report highlighted by Virginia U.S. Senators. Tim Kaine, Mark Warner and others stated that Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital, South Boston; Centra Southside Community Hospital, Farmville; and VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital, South Hill are among the 10 Virginia hospitals at risk because of Medicaid cuts.

All three hospitals have stated that they do not plan to close, and will continue to meet the health care needs of the region.

Sentara’s spokesman Mike Kafka stated that “ensuring access to quality health care for the communities we service remains our highest priority.” We will continue to serve communities that rely on our services, to advocate for those who don’t have a voice and to work with state and federal leaders as well as nonprofit partners and other health systems in order to navigate the future.

Kafka stated that there is no plan to close Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital and Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center.

A Centra spokesperson stated that there is no plan to close Southside Community Hospital.

“Centra Southside” is an essential resource for patients and the communities that it serves. According to a spokesman, “it remains an integral part of our commitment for rural healthcare.” Southside will continue to provide high-quality and accessible care in the region, including Farmville, Prince Edward County, and beyond. We continue to invest in our hospital. This includes renovating and expanding our Emergency Department.

The spokesperson for Centra said that the company is adapting, like other health systems in Virginia and across the nation, to the rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Medicaid is an important part of this equation. Medicaid accounts for approximately 19% in revenue at Centra Southside. The utilization percentages for the last three years, including all visits to the ED, show that 75% of patients were covered by a government payer (Medicare 53%) or Medicaid (22%).

According to a Centra spokesperson, “in Virginia, a robust payment program helps offset gaps between the cost and reimbursement of Medicaid services.” “However, federal policy changes under H.R. Over time, H.R. H.R. 1’s Medicaid eligibility criteria and reduced Medicaid reimbursement are more restrictive. H.R.

The Centra spokesperson also said that the needs of the communities are changing.

Centra’s statement states that “we are caring for an older population with more complex conditions and also seeing declining birthrates which shift the demand for services.” These dynamics, combined with the ongoing shortage of workers and rising costs, require us to constantly evaluate how we provide care, so that we can remain responsive and efficient, especially in rural communities.

Centra, according to the spokesperson, is focused on adapting these changes so as to strengthen access and support community health for long-term.

“Southside Community Hospital plays an important role in this care.” We remain committed to the future of the hospital and the families and patients who depend on it daily,” said the spokesperson

Shea Wright, a communications specialist at VCU Community Memorial Hospital, said that they were aware of a report predicting possible hospital closures in Virginia as a result of the budget reconciliation package H.R.

Wright stated that “serving a large patient population covered by government payers is central to our missions, even though it adds financial complexity as these programs reimburse at a rate below the cost of care.” VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital, and VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital, are proud to be part of VCU Health. This university-based system continues to invest in high-quality healthcare, capital improvements, and staffing at all of its hospitals.

Wright, like many other organizations, said that they closely monitor federal change, identify emerging issues and remain in active communication with stakeholders.

He said: “Above everything, we are steadfast and committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care to each patient who walks through our door.”

Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, found in a report that the Republican Budget Reconciliation Package signed into law by July 2025 could decimate affordable healthcare for millions of Americans as well as risk the closing of rural hospitals.

Public Citizen reported in its report that, according to the estimates of the Congressional Budget Office, the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill approved in 2025 will cut federal spending on Medicaid over the next ten years by $911 billion.

According to the nonprofit, millions of Medicaid recipients may lose their coverage due to work requirements and other eligibility criteria.

Kaine and Warner cited the findings, and the harm that they believe the cuts to health care could cause in rural areas.

In a statement, the senators said that hospitals in the Commonwealth are at risk of closing because of the Republicans’ tax giveaway for the ultra-wealthy.

In a joint statement, the senators stated that this report demonstrates just how cruel and irresponsible this law is to Virginians. They said they deserve reliable, affordable, high-quality care.

Public Citizen reported that Medicaid cuts are putting 446 hospitals at risk of closure or service reductions.