Doctor warns hospitals could close if Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ becomes law

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A retired Virginia doctor is sounding the alarm on President Donald Trump’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill.” 

“There’s an overlap between the population who uses and needs Medicaid and the population that has an increased rate of chronic diseases,” Dr. Henry Rozycki, who recently retired after 37 years at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, told 8News. 

Rozycki says the bill’s proposed changes to Medicaid could leave Virginians to pay the price. 

“Medicaid helps pay for chronic care and preventive care,” Rozycki said. “These people are then not going to get their insulin. They’re not going to get their inhalers and they’re going to get sicker.”

The bill, which is currently in the Senate, would require able-bodied adults without children on Medicaid to prove that they work, volunteer or go to school. 

According to the Congressional Budget Office, that requirement, along with other proposals, could lead to about 11 million people losing their health insurance. Dr. Rozycki said that could lead to uninsured patients showing up to the emergency room with no way to pay for their care. 

“The hospitals can't turn them down, they’re not allowed to,” Rozycki told 8News. “There’s going to be the trickle-down effect of the hospitals are going to be getting sicker patients with less revenue to pay for it, and yes, hospitals will close.” 

In response to Dr. Rozycki's claims about hospitals being forced to close, Republican Congresswoman Jen Kiggans, who voted for the bill in question, sent 8News the following statement.

"The claim that hospitals will be overwhelmed or forced to close is based on a misunderstanding. This bill doesn’t take coverage away from eligible individuals—in fact, it strengthens the system by targeting fraud and waste, which helps keep it sustainable. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, over $50 billion in improper Medicaid payments were made last year alone. By cleaning up the rolls and restoring integrity to the program, we’re helping hospitals—not hurting them—by ensuring the system works for those it’s truly intended to serve.”

Rep. Jen Kiggans (R) (VA-01)