| Today, the River Hills Community Health Center announced they are closing their Centerville Clinic. The organization cited “ongoing financial and operational challenges facing rural health care providers” including “reimbursement challenges” and “rising operational costs” following Zach Nunn’s vote for the largest Medicaid cuts in history.
Despite Zach Nunn saying it was a “myth” that rural hospitals and clinics were at risk of closing due to Medicaid cuts, the Centerville clinic is the fourth health care clinic in his district that has closed down following Nunn’s vote to gut Medicaid.
DCCC Spokesperson Katie Smith:
“Zach Nunn told Iowans with a straight face it was a ‘myth’ that health care clinics would close down after he voted to gut rural health care. Now, after four clinics in IA-03 announced their closure citing Medicaid cuts, it’s Iowans who are paying the price because Nunn sided with his donors and party bosses.”
Ottumwa Radio: River Hills Community Health Center to Close Centerville Clinic in July
- River Hills Community Health Center has announced the closure of its Centerville clinic, effective July 31st, 2026, citing ongoing financial and operational challenges facing rural health care providers across Iowa and the nation. The announcement comes shortly after the organization announced the closure of its Richland Dental Clinic in Keokuk County, which was announced April 29th, 2026, also attributed to cuts in insurance funding nationwide. The southeast Iowa region has experienced cuts by many health care providing agencies, reflecting a broader trend affecting rural and community health systems nationwide.
- River Hills is one of more than 1,500 Federally Qualified Health Centers across the United States and one of 14 FQHCs in Iowa. The organization said the Centerville closure reflects increasing pressures facing community-based health care organizations, including workforce shortages, rising operational costs, reimbursement challenges, and declining sustainability of rural health services.
- CEO Joy Alexander said the decision was not reached easily. “For many years, the Centerville clinic has served as an important access point for care in Appanoose County and surrounding communities. We recognize the impact this closure may have on our patients, staff, and community partners, and we are deeply grateful for the trust and support the community has shown River Hills CHC over the years,” Alexander said.
- Chief Financial Officer Lori Miller echoed that sentiment while placing the closure in a broader national context. “Health care organizations across the country are facing unprecedented financial strain. While this outcome is heartbreaking, our priority remains ensuring patients continue to have access to safe, compassionate, and coordinated care,” Miller said.
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