Democracy Dies in Darkness

A clinic blames its closing on Trump’s Medicaid cuts. Patients don’t buy it.

A clinic in rural Nebraska has become a political flash point after tying its looming closure to Trump’s law cutting Medicaid.

July 13, 2025 at 5:00 a.m. EDTYesterday at 5:00 a.m. EDT

9 min

April Roberts, director of the Curtis Area Senior Center, makes pizzas to serve for lunch with help from her husband, Tom, in Curtis, Nebraska, on Friday. (Rebecca S. Gratz/For The Washington Post)

By Hannah Knowles

CURTIS, Nebraska — The only health clinic here is shutting down, and the hospital CEO has blamed Medicaid cuts in President Donald Trump’s signature legislation. But residents of Curtis — a one-stoplight town in deep-red farm country — aren’t buying that explanation.

“Anyone who’s saying that Medicaid cuts is why they’re closing is a liar,” April Roberts said, as she oversaw lunch at the Curtis Area Senior Center.

What readers are saying

The comments on the article about the clinic's closure in Curtis, Nebraska, largely focus on the perceived disconnect between the residents' political beliefs and the reality of the situation. Many commenters express frustration that the residents blame Democrats or refuse to... Show more

This summary is AI-generated. AI can make mistakes and this summary is not a replacement for reading the comments.

NewsletterWeekdays

Early Brief

The Washington Post's essential guide to power and influence in D.C.

Subscribe and save on your first year of The Post.