But public outcry over Medicaid cuts led Republicans to include a provision that will provide $10 billion annually to buttress rural hospitals over the next 5 years, or $50 billion in total. Many rural hospital advocates are wary that it won't be enough to cover the shortfall.

The giant tax and spending bill President Donald Trump signed into law over the weekend includes the biggest health care spending cuts in U.S. history. In response, states are scrambling to shield their hospitals from the looming loss of hundreds of millions in federal funding.

States and rural health advocacy groups are sounding the alarm that Congress’ slashing of Medicaid will devastate already financially fragile rural hospitals