CLAIMTON, Ga. () — Evans Memorial Hospital, which caters to the rural areas of Evans and Tattnall counties and their vicinities, faces the threat of future budget constraints, as noted by hospital employees.

CEO Bill Lee shared with News 3 their proactive stance on potential Medicaid reductions stemming from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Numerous other rural hospitals are taking similar precautions. For instance, St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia, Georgia, has decided to discontinue its maternity and newborn delivery services in response to Medicaid cuts within Trump’s budget proposal, as announced via a press release.

Lee emphasized that, while no immediate drastic measures are being implemented, they are evaluating their alternatives. Approximately $3.3 million from their budget is at risk of being slashed.

“Access remains a top priority, so we are focused on preserving it. Like every rural hospital in Georgia, we’re assessing what we can maintain and what we may need to reconsider for the long term,” expressed Lee.

Regarding services, Lee pointed out that the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has the highest patient cost. It holds significant community importance but also strains the hospital’s finances, making it a potential candidate for initial budget cuts.

“With the uncertainty surrounding possible future Medicaid cuts, shifts in other funding avenues, as well as anticipated changes in unemployment and the under-insured population, all these variables influence our decision-making regarding the sustainability of programs like our ICU,” Lee explained.

The ICU closure, however, would be detrimental for the almost 30,000 people in the Evans Memorial service area. The closest ICU for Evans and Tattnall County residents is a 30 to 45-minute drive.

According to Lee, Evans Memorial hasn’t had OBGYN services since 2010.

Leaders like U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff believe that supporting rural healthcare is a matter of life and death.

“It’s not a mystery that in a flourishing society, the means of achieving health and a long life are a right accessible to all people, and not just to those who live in the right place or have the means,” Ossoff said.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act created the opportunity for states to apply for aid through the Rural Health Transformation Fund. Lee said he is working with state and local officials to make sure Evans Memorial is represented and considered for that funding.

Rep. Buddy Carter told , the program makes critical investments in Georgia’s rural hospitals, communities, and providers.

“This $50 billion targeted, yet flexible, fund efficiently assists facilities at risk of closure while continuing to address waste, fraud, and abuse. Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, this fund will make rural health care more accessible, save lives, and strengthen safety-net programs for generations to come,” Rep. Carter said.

A White House spokesperson sent the following statement on the Rural Health Transformation Program, “[This] is a $50 billion investment from the federal government – the largest investment in rural health care to date – that will drive reform and target the systemic reasons why hospitals in rural America have struggled for years. This program is a win for every rural community across the country, and the administration urges every single governor to apply.”