Sept. 13, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: Thank you to editor and writer Darryl Woodson for the Sept. 10 front-page story “Augusta Health Closes BV Office,” with this subhead: “Big, Beautiful Bill Blamed.”
The article notes that 1,321 patients were affected by the Buena Vista medical office closure. The loss of health services is the direct result of Republicans passing the White House’s budget in July.
An Augusta Health official explained it this way: “Augusta Medical Group was already considering whether to consolidate our primary care and urgent care network in rural areas of the valley, but the OBBBA and its cuts to Medicaid and reimbursement to health care providers made our decision very clear. Augusta Health is facing an estimated $40 million loss in operating revenue when the law is fully implemented in 2027, and we must prepare for that impact so we can sustain our mission to serve the community.”
I am grateful that I can rely on The News-Gazette to provide excellent coverage of what happens in our community. I hope that the funds for health care are reinstated. NANCY BIDLACK Lexington
