One year ago, Zach Nunn voted for the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. At the time, he brushed off the warnings, telling Iowans on TV that it was a “myth” that his vote would force rural hospitals and clinics to close.
It wasn’t a myth. Since Nunn cast that vote, three health care clinics in Iowa’s Third District have shut their doors, citing the Medicaid cuts as part of the reason.
For families in these communities, the nearest urgent care or family medicine clinic is now a longer drive away, at a time when many are already stretching every dollar to cover groceries, gas, and rent.
Sarah Trone Garriott, a former hospital chaplain, Lutheran minister, and Iowa state senator running to represent Iowa’s Third District in Congress, released the following statement:
“As a hospital chaplain, I sat with families on some of the hardest nights of their lives. I know what it means when a clinic closes in your community; it means longer drives, harder choices, and neighbors going without the care they need. That’s not a myth. That’s what’s happening right now across Iowa thanks to Zach Nunn’s vote to gut Medicaid one year ago.
“Iowans deserve to know that your local clinic will be there when you or your family need it. Zach Nunn had a chance to protect that, but instead he sided with Washington instead of the neighbors he represents.
“Iowa families deserve a representative who shows up and works hard for them to protect their health care and lower their prices, no matter who they voted for. That starts with making sure people can see a doctor close to home.”
Background:
In 2025, Nunn voted for the reconciliation bill that included the largest cut to Medicaid in history, despite earlier promising he would oppose cuts that put Iowa hospitals and clinics at risk. Defending his vote afterward, Nunn told viewers: “Let’s dispel myths from reality here. I think that the myth here is that rural hospitals are going to close down. That’s not the case.”
In the year since, Iowa’s Third District has seen:
- MercyOne’s family medicine clinic in Ottumwa closed its doors in February;
- River Hills Community Health Center’s Centerville clinic will close on July 31, ending a source of care for rural families in the area;
- MercyOne closed its clinics in South Des Moines, its Family Medicine and Urgent Care locations, pushing patients to travel farther for care; and
- Multiple rounds of layoffs at MercyOne facilities across the Des Moines area.
MercyOne has publicly cited anticipated cuts to Medicaid reimbursement among the factors driving its decisions to reduce services. Health systems statewide have warned that further reimbursement cuts threaten hospitals and clinics already operating on thin margins, particularly in rural areas already facing provider shortages.
Sarah Trone Garriott is a former hospital chaplain, Lutheran minister, and Iowa state senator running for Congress in Iowa’s Third District. She is running to work hard for every Iowan, regardless of their politics, and to bring the same commitment to showing up for her neighbors that has defined her career in ministry and public service.
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