NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Researchers are concerned that Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital and eight others across Tennessee could close due to proposed Medicaid cuts.

Researchers warned that potential cuts to Medicaid programs such as TennCare could close several local hospitals.

The cuts are part of President Trump's so-called "big, beautiful bill."

The Tennessee Justice Center is calling it a wrecking ball that is about to be dropped on Tennesseans.

“I've been representing low-income Tennesseans for 50 years, and my work has primarily focused on access to health care and Medicaid,” Tennessee Justice Center Staff Attorney Gordon Bonnyman said.

Bonnyman said access to health care in Tennessee could drastically change.

Tuesday, the United States Senate passed its version of the so-called "big, beautiful bill."

According to the Congressional Budget Office, it includes more than $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid programs like TennCare over the next decade.

“I mean it's terrifying to know what's about to happen, and folks don’t have a clue,” Bonnyman said.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducted a study on how many hospitals could close after a request from Senate Democrats.

They found nine in Tennessee are at risk including hospitals in Lebanon, Smithville, Sparta and Woodbury.

“Hospitals have become increasingly reliant on Medicaid to stay open, and now we are pulling the Medicaid leg out from under the stool,” Bonnyman said.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the reports that rural hospitals might have to close because of the bill are "untrue."

"So this bill strengthens Medicaid; it will protect those benefits that hard working Americans need, and that's why the president wants to build to pass," Leavitt said.

Gordon said there would be a domino effect if the bill becomes law.

"If you lose the hospital, the doctors and nurses move away, the pharmacy is no longer financially viable, and the nursing home is in trouble,” Bonnyman said.

News 2 asked Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee how the cuts would impact Tennesseeans.

“My initial response is that states will need to respond to whatever the federal government does in this piece of legislation to take care of our constituents," Gov. Lee said.

But Gordon said people who rely on Medicaid won’t be the only ones impacted in the state.

“There's no question there will be a health care crisis in Tennessee,” Bonnyman said.

In a statement from Vanderbilt Health, officials wrote a statement regarding Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital.

We remain committed to the communities and patients we serve. We have no plans to close any of our regional hospitals and are continually seeking ways to expand programs and services at these facilities to better meet the needs of these communities.

Vanderbilt Health

The Senate's version of the bill now heads to the House for a vote. 

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/researchers-concerned-vanderbilt-wilson-county-hospital-8-others-in-tn-could-close-due-to-potential-medicaid-cuts/