by Ricky Dana, Candidate for U.S. House – Missouri’s 4th District
Quick take (📅 Tuesday, August 19, 2025): Mark “Awful for Missouri” Alford is stopping by Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall, Missouri (Saline County) tomorrow for a quick photo op—but his voting record is hurting rural health care.
Fitzgibbon Hospital, located at 2305 S. Highway 65, Marshall, MO 65340, has long served families across Saline County and beyond. It’s also one of the largest employers in Saline County, making it critical not just for health care but for our local economy. While Alford will be smiling for the cameras there, let’s not forget: he voted for the so-called “Big Bill” that cut hundreds of thousands of Missourians off Medicaid. Those votes have pushed Fitzgibbon and other rural hospitals to the edge, making it harder to recruit staff and keep vital services open.
And let’s be honest—the timing of his visit isn’t a coincidence. He’s showing up in my hometown, in my home county, right as I’m launching my campaign. That’s not leadership—it’s political theater.
Here’s the difference: I already have a bill written and ready to file on day one of the next Congress—the Community Urgent Care and Clinic Support Act of 2027.
What it will do:
- ✅ Provide federal grants to help rural hospitals and clinics buy equipment, recruit staff, and expand hours
- ✅ Require modest state matching funds so we all share responsibility
- ✅ Offer tax incentives to individuals and businesses who support rural hospitals
- ✅ Keep urgent care and specialty services available right here in our communities
This is a real plan—not a soundbite. I’m committed to delivering resources to help rural hospitals like Fitzgibbon survive and thrive.
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