Are two rural Nevada hospitals at risk of closing after cuts to Medicaid?

Despite their inclusion on a “Hospital Crisis Watch” list, Battle Mountain General Hospital and Humboldt General Hospital are not at immediate risk of closing after federal health care spending cuts this summer.

Both were included on Protect Our Care’s list of at-risk rural hospitals, defined as either being in the top 10% Medicaid payer mix for rural hospitals across the country or if they’ve experienced three consecutive years of negative total margin.

After the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” passed, both county-owned hospitals released statements indicating that they are not at risk of closure.

Humboldt General Hospital noted the hospital reported positive operating margins in 2024 after three years of negative margins.

Battle Mountain General Hospital reported significant cash reserves equating to about 1,100 days cash on hand.

The Nevada Rural Hospital Partners also notes that both hospitals receive significant amounts of money from state mining taxes, which were not taken into account.