He Insisted Hospital Closures Were A 'Myth.' Then This Happened.

In July 2025, U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA-03) told WHO13 that rural hospital closures from his Medicaid vote were a "myth." Seven months later, MercyOne Ottumwa closed. In June, MercyOne South Des Moines closes. And on July 31, the River Hills Community Health Center in Centerville locks up for good — the only Medicaid-accepting dental clinic in Appanoose County, the poorest county in Iowa.

Three closures in twelve months. In Nunn's own district. After he voted to cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and called the warnings a myth on camera.

The Appanoose County supervisor found out his constituents were losing their only clinic by reading the news. No phone call. No contingency plan. And Nunn is now on the November ballot against Sarah Trone Garriott, who's running the closures as her central campaign issue.

SOURCES:

1. Iowa Starting Line "Centerville clinic to close in July amid growing rural healthcare concerns"

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