Tim Burchett

U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett signed off on the “Big, Beautiful Bill” trumpeting that $50 billion over five years will flood state coffers, enabling the states to revitalize rural health care. Let's follow the money and see exactly how that plays out. You have been sold a bill of goods!

Fifty percent of the $50 billion funding allocation will be divided equally among states that submit an application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The remaining 50% will be distributed to states based on a formula developed by the CMS administrator. The law requires the administrator to consider a state’s rural population, proportion of health care facilities in rural areas and situation of hospitals that serve a high proportion of low-income patients. Assuming all 50 states apply and are approved, each state will receive at least $100 million per year for five years.

Tennessee received $207 million this year. Assume that amount continues for another four years. Tennessee has 100 counties (if each of the five large metropolitan counties are counted twice). Each county receives $2 million/year for five years.

That is it! Given the decades of underinvestment in medical infrastructure, $2 million is a proverbial “drop in the bucket.”

Another way to look at this. Union County (20K residents), $2 million/year works out to 30 cents/day per resident.

Now you know how much Tim Burchett feels his constituents deserve to receive.

This election is not about “Right” vs “Left.” It is about “Up” vs “Down.”

Burchett has made it clear to whom his allegiance belongs. His philosophy of life can thus besummed up in seven words:

I have mine, get out of here!”

Dr. Jan Hahn MD, Lenoir City, 37772