FRANKLIN, Va. — Bon Secours Southampton Medical Center is one of six Virginia hospitals at risk of shuttering its doors, following cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act brought on by the Trump administration's budget bill. Billions of dollars are set to leave rural hospitals nationwide as a part of the cuts.

The potential closure is compounded by the looming number of Virginians who may lose their healthcare coverage because of the same Medicaid cuts, an estimated 300,000.

The following stories offer just a glimpse into how rural Virginians rely on this essential, life-saving care.

"They saved my life that day"

Earlier this year, Katie Convery Johnson and her family drove to their nearest hospital, hoping to be treated for a sore throat caused by COVID-19. Hours later, everyt

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