To date, McDonough District Hospital (MDH) is waiting on $30 million from federal and state services (Medicaid and Medicare), along with insurance payments and private pay.
With the passage of the federal government's bill that cuts into social service and Affordable Care Act programs, the wait is getting longer. To help raise awareness for the critical need and vital services rural hospitals like MDH provide, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen visited the county hospital Tuesday to meet with MDH leadership and Board members, as well as Western Illinois University and city and county officials, and tour hospital departments.
'This is a different landscape than one year ago. With the passage of the 'big, ugly bill,' funding is drying up for rural hospitals, yet the need for hospitals in rural communities is growing,' Sorensen told the media following the tour. 'Hospitals like MDH fulfill so many needs for a community, and if there's no hospital or adequate health care, no one will move here and people will leave. The future of this hospital impacts the future of Western Illinois University, of employers like Pella, and more. Sustaining health care is not just an option; critical access is essential.'
Sorensen, who saw MDH's obstetrics/gynecology wing and delivery services, noted that 50 percent of the babies delivered at the local hospital are funded through Medicaid, and if the hospital doesn't receive its payments, these services could go by the wayside.
'Mothers-to-be will have to drive to places that may be too far. If someone has a heart attack or another serious issues, they might have to drive 30 or more miles away. We need services here 24/7,' he added. 'Unfortunately, I'm hearing these same issues at other hospitals in the district. My focus is on connecting people with quality healthcare, yet 10 million people were priced out of healthcare with the passage of the budget bill.
We must support health services. People are struggling. It's not just my job to vote the right way, it's also my job to communicate to other members of Congress the importance of rural hospitals.'
MDH CEO Bill Murdock said following Sorensen's visit that rural hospitals like MDH need a voice in D.C. and need the support so they can continue to be the leader in community care and remain an independent entity.
'He was listening to what we need, and he'll deliver our story to Congress,' he added. MDH Pharmacy Shane Miller also discussed an Illinois House Bill 2371 – SA 2 relating to the 340B program, which is a pharmacy discount program. 'Big Pharma' is opposing the bill, which will adversely impact patients and providers. MDH provides more than $5 million in free and reduced cost care each year back to the communities MDH serves. “If the pharmacy discount program were to change or go to a 'rebate' type program, it could impact those services provided at no cost to those in dire need,” Murdock explained.
Murdock and members of his leadership team were in Washington last year to talk to members of Congress. In addition to inviting Sorensen to visit, Rep. Mary Miller was also invited to visit the Macomb campus, as it falls within her district.
To date, she has not accepted that invitation.
In July 2025, Miller voted in favor of a budget bill that aimed to cut federal Medicaid spending by an estimated $1 trillion over 10 years. She has also expressed opposition to the Affordable Care Act. Murdock noted that local Rep. Norine Hammond and Rep. Dan Swanson have made frequent visits to the McDonough County Hospital to discuss services and funding.
'It's a constant daily battle to get paid,' Murdock concluded.
