To Senators Mullins and Lankford, I am writing to you today with deep concern and a heartfelt request on behalf of the people of southeastern Oklahoma. As the Senate prepares to take action on the “Big Beautiful Bill,” I urge you – implore you – not to overlook your fellow Oklahomans who live in the most rural corners of our great state. These communities, though often quiet and humble, are the backbone of Oklahoma-and they are in real danger.
This morning [June 26], we read that Senate Republicans are considering a $15 billion fund for rural hospitals as part of this legislation. I want to emphasize in the strongest possible terms: this funding is not optional- it is essential. For communities like ours, this is not a matter of tightening our belts; it is a matter of life and death.
Without these funds and without protections for rural healthcare providers, this bill could become the final blow for many of Oklahoma’s small-town hospitals, including McCurtain Memorial Hospital.
We fully support the efforts of Congress and the President to cut wasteful spending, root out fraud, and eliminate abuse from the Medicaid program. No one wants taxpayer dollars misused.
But as currently written, this bill risks going too far cutting not just fraud, but access to care for the elderly, low-income families, and disabled individuals who have no alternatives. These are your constituents – hardworking, patriotic Oklahomans who have long felt forgotten by Washington.
McCurtain Memorial Hospital has served southeastern Oklahoma for more than 70 years. We are the only hospital equipped to serve our region.
More than 90% of our patients rely on Medicare and Medicaid. If those programs are gutted, our hospital will not survive. It's that simple.
The implications go beyond our facility. If McCurtain Memorial closes, residents will be forced to drive hours for emergency care critical surgeries.
Imagine a mother in labor, an elderly stroke victim, or a child in a car accident-all being told the nearest help is over an hour away. That's not just unacceptable-it’s unconscionable.
In the last three years, our team has worked tirelessly to strengthen our financial footing, grow service lines, and improve outcomes. We're not asking for a handout, we're asking for a fair chance to continue serving our community. We are doing everything right, but without adequate Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement, no amount of fiscal discipline can save us.
We're proud of our rural roots. We believe in personal responsibility. We believe in strong borders and strong families. But we also believe that no American should lose access to basic healthcare simply because of where they live. This is not about politics-this is about people.
I respectfully ask you to stand with us. Fight for a bill that reflects Oklahoma values: integrity, compassion, and common sense. Demand that rural hospitals be protected. Insist that the $15 billion rural fund remains in the bill-and that it is sufficient to meet the real and growing needs of hospitals like ours.
Finally, I would like to extend an invitation for you to visit McCurtain Memorial Hospital. Come see firsthand the lives we're saving, the services we're offering, and the impact we're making. We are proud of our progress, but we need your voice in Washington to ensure we can keep going.
Thank you for your service to our state and for your consideration of this critical issue. When you cast your vote, please remember the people who helped send you to Washington - and the lives depending on your support.
Brian Whitfield
President / CEO McCurtain Memorial Hospital