Health Care

From Hospital Closures to Universal Healthcare 

“In the past, the benefits of modern medical science have not been enjoyed by our citizens with any degree of equality. Nor are they today. Nor will they be in the future—unless government is bold enough to do something about it.”-Harry Truman 

The Crisis Right Now 

9 out of 21 hospitals in our district are losing money and at risk of closure. The Medicaid cuts in the Big “Beautiful” Bill make the threat of hospital shutdown worse by eliminating their main source of reimbursement income. 200,000 people in our district have no health insurance or rely on Medicaid, that’s 25% of people in our district that can’t afford healthcare. In some Texas counties, there is a 50 to 100 mile drive to any emergency services. When the BBB Medicaid cuts go into effect shutting down district 11 rural hospitals and increasing distances to emergency services, Oil worker deaths by accident will increase by 15% in the regions affected. Furthermore, healthcare prices are so high compared to the cost of care because insurance companies prioritize corporate profits over patient health.  

The Solution 

71% of the American people are for a Medicare for All system if it guarantees healthcare as a right… so what are we waiting for? ITS WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT! Congress MUST implement Medicare for All, then we’ll modernize rural hospitals. When hospitals get paid fairly for every patient, they stop losing money. When everyone has healthcare, medical bankruptcies end. Gone are the days when a major illness drains your life savings.  

How This Actually Happens 

PHASE 1 (Years 1-2): Emergency Action and Medicare for All 

  • Medicare for All eliminates the uninsured crisis—everyone gets healthcare coverage.  
  • RFC provides $500 million emergency funding to keep all 21 district hospitals open.  
  • No more closures—every hospital gets the money it needs immediately.  
  • 2,500 healthcare jobs saved from closure. 

PHASE 2 (Years 2-4: Uncompensated Care Crisis Ends 

  • Hospitals get paid fairly for every patient they treat.  
  • Medicaid expansion covers everyone who needs it.  
  • Medical bankruptcies end—healthcare becomes a right, not a privilege.  
  • Emergency room crowding decreases as people get regular care. 

PHASE 3 (Years 4-6): Hospital Modernization 

  • $1 billion RFC investment in new medical equipment.  
  • Telemedicine connections to specialists in Dallas and Houston.  
  • Emergency rooms that actually work—under 20 minute wait times.  
  • Obstetrics and pediatrics return to rural hospitals. The health of women and children is prioritized. 

PHASE 4 (Years 6-8): Medical Training Pipeline 

  • New medical residency programs in every major hospital.  
  • Loan forgiveness for doctors who serve rural communities.  
  • Local doctors trained who stay in West Texas.  
  • Nursing programs at all community colleges. 

LONG TERM VISION: Healthcare Success 

  • Zero hospital closures since 2025.  
  • Life expectancy gap with urban Texas cut in half.  
  • 8,000 healthcare jobs paying $50,000-$100,000.  
  • Universal healthcare means healthy communities and productive workers. 

What about Health Insurance Companies?  

WHO CARES! I mean, the market for private insurance will still exist, as it does in other countries with universal healthcare. But really, who cares! Its an industry that’s done ENOUGH damage to people. Withholding healthcare to make a profit is simply inhuman and immoral. 

 

Policy ideas researched with the help of Perplexity AI’s research function. Sources available upon request.