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Over the last several weeks, I’ve traveled across the state—from Bend to Ontario—meeting with leaders and decision-makers to sound the alarm about a growing threat to rural healthcare: proposed cuts to Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement. I’ve had the opportunity to speak directly with Governor Tina Kotek, Congressman Cliff Bentz, and Senator Ron Wyden about how these changes could affect hospitals like Grande Ronde and the communities we serve. I’ve also heard the commentary that followed—some of it skeptical, even critical.

Let me take a moment to explain why I’m doing this—and what it is not about.

This is not political. It’s personal. It’s local. And it’s urgent.

Grande Ronde Hospital is proud to be one of Oregon’s few independent, nonprofit Critical Access Hospitals east of the Cascades. We are rooted here—financially, geographically, and emotionally. We are governed by a local board of directors. We employ over 800 people, support local businesses, and care for our neighbors every single day. The decisions made in Salem or Washington, D.C. ripple out in very real ways right here in Union County.

Medicare or Medicaid covers more than 65% of our patients. That’s not just a statistic—it reflects the real needs of this community. When policy changes threaten reimbursement levels for these programs, it directly impacts our ability to keep services local. It affects how many staff we can hire, how long patients wait for care, and whether we can continue to offer the same breadth of services—from oncology to maternity care—close to home.

This is not just about Grande Ronde Hospital. It’s about rural hospitals across Oregon—many of which are already operating at a loss. GRH has been holding steady at break-even, which is something to be proud of. But it also means we haven’t had the margin to build rainy-day reserves or invest in future infrastructure the way we’d like. Cuts of this scale could disrupt the balance we’ve worked so hard to maintain.

In these conversations, I spoke about more than just numbers. I talked about our staff—our nurses, physicians, support teams, and caregivers—who show up day after day, often working extra shifts or stepping into tough situations because they believe in our mission. I spoke about our patients struggling to navigate a complex, expensive healthcare system and who might now face even more barriers.

These proposed cuts aren’t just a policy change. They’re a turning point. If we don’t raise our voices now, the impact may be felt for years to come.

It’s easy to view leadership through a political lens, especially in today’s climate. But I assure you, my only agenda is to protect access to quality care in Eastern Oregon. I may not always agree with every decision made by our state or federal officials—but I will always take the opportunity to ensure they understand what’s at stake for rural communities like ours.

I believe in showing up for what matters. That’s why I was in those rooms. Not to play politics—but to speak truthfully, and urgently about the consequences these cuts could have on the place we all call home.

These are uncertain times. But one thing remains clear: Grande Ronde Hospital will continue to fight for rural healthcare, and for you.

~ Jeremy Davis, President & CEO, Grande Ronde Hospital & Clinics