U.S. Senator Baldwin hears from health clinic operators, patients, over threat of federal health care cuts

Local healthcare executives sound off on federal cuts they say threaten small clinics serving people on Medicaid and government-subsidized healthcare.

During a healthcare roundtable in Beloit on Friday, Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin said Congressional reports show President Trump’s budget could leave 16 million Americans without affordable health care.

HealthNet of Rock County Director Kerry Swanson says HealthNet’s preventative care saves the local healthcare system $2.4 million a year in “unrealized” emergency room visits.

She and Community Health Systems of Beloit CEO Stephen Smith say federal healthcare cuts would translate to patients deferring important physical or mental health care until their illnesses become critical. They say that would lead to increased emergency roo