Josh Turek Slams Ashley Hinson After Iowa Rural Health Care Facility Announces Closure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 15, 2026

Josh Turek Slams Ashley Hinson After Iowa Rural Health Care Facility Announces Closure

Iowa’s rural health care crisis worsens as Republicans continue their attacks on health care

Des Moines, IA – Yesterday, MercyOne Ottumwa Family and Internal Medicine Clinic announced it will close next month, the latest in a slew of rural health care closures. Patients of this clinic are being referred to MercyOne Family Medicine in Centerville for care – an hour away. Pella Regional Medical Clinic in Ottumwa also reduced family practice operations starting today, further limiting access to health care for this rural community.

Iowans are suffering as Republicans like Ashley Hinson continue their attacks on health care at the state federal level. Hinson supported the privatization of Iowa’s Medicaid system, voted for cuts to Medicaid in the Big Beautiful Bill, and voted against extending Affordable Care Act subsidies — all of which disproportionately impact Iowa’s rural health care centers.

State representative and four-time Paralympian Josh Turek released the following statement:

“Iowa is nearly dead last in every health care metric, and it’s just getting worse because Ashley Hinson is hellbent on making life harder for Iowans. From ripping health care away from 110,000 Iowans on Medicaid to voting against the extension of ACA subsidies that another 120,000 Iowans rely on for affordable health care, she’s consistently shown she’d rather vote for tax breaks for billionaires than affordable health care for Iowans, especially rural Iowans.

“We can’t afford more rural health care closures – not in the only state with a growing cancer rate. I believe health care is a human right, and every Iowan deserves accessible and affordable care. That’s what I’ll fight for when I’m Iowa’s next Senator.”

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