Technology

New Medicaid Rules Threaten to Deepen the Rural Healthcare Crisis

Published

2 hours ago

June 15, 2026

With 41.2% of rural hospitals already operating in the red and 417 facilities vulnerable to closure, new work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks risk pushing eligible patients off coverage for paperwork reasons rather than true ineligibility.

WASHINGTON, June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — New Medicaid work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks risk creating an unintended rural healthcare access problem by pushing eligible patients off coverage for paperwork reasons rather than true ineligibility, AmeriTrust Solutions warns. That threat is landing at a time when rural providers are already under severe pressure: more than 40% of rural hospitals are operating at a loss, 417 are vulnerable to closure, and essential services such as obstetrics, chemotherapy, and general surgery are disappearing from rural communities.

The deeper risk is administrative churn. The Commonwealth Fund reports one in 10 Medicaid enrollees loses and regains coverage within 12 months, and approximately 70% of disenrollments since unwinding have been procedural. The same analysis warns that requiring adults in Medicaid expansion populations to renew eligibility every six months instead of annually would increase churn. For rural providers, that instability can quickly become a revenue problem: in the 10 states that have not adopted Medicaid expansion, 52.2% of rural hospitals are already operating in the red.

“When eligible patients lose Medicaid because the process gets harder, the consequence is not just administrative, it is financial and clinical,” said Peter Justen, Founder and CEO of AmeriTrust Solutions. “Rural hospitals feel that loss in delayed reimbursement, uncompensated care, and growing pressure on already fragile services. The better answer is to reduce the friction before coverage is lost and the damage moves downstream.”

Rural Systems Are Already at the Edge

For rural providers, Medicaid is part of an infrastructure that helps keep hospitals and other safety-net providers open. The pressure is especially acute for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), which are required to provide care regardless of insurance enrollment or ability to pay. That means every intake failure, missed renewal, or coverage lapse can quickly translate into uncompensated care for facilities already operating on thin margins. Chartis found that more than 200 rural hospitals have closed or converted since 2010, while service-line losses continue to spread across the country. Between 2011 and 2024, 331 rural hospitals stopped offering obstetric services, and between 2014 and 2024, 448 rural hospitals stopped offering chemotherapy. In many communities, the more immediate warning sign is the disappearance of essential services.

KFF reports that 41 states, including Washington, D.C., have adopted Medicaid expansion, while 10 states have not. Those non-expansion states overlap with some of the most financially exposed rural hospital markets in the country. In those areas, procedural disenrollments can quickly shift patients from reimbursed coverage into self-pay or charity care, even though provider still delivers the service.

Administrative Churn Is the Unintended Risk

Churn does not just interrupt insurance coverage. It disrupts access to preventive services, medications and continuous care for chronic illness while increasing hospitalizations and emergency room visits. It also creates measurable cost for states: disenrolling and reenrolling one person within a year is estimated to cost between $400 and $600. Researchers estimate that 12-month continuous eligibility for adults would reduce churn by 30%, resulting in 267,000 fewer uninsured adults each month and approximately $87 million in reduced state administrative costs.

AmeriTrust Solutions says the churn problem is often driven by specific operational bottlenecks rather than a single policy failure. Among the most common are low ex parte automation, lagging application-side automation, stale contact information that causes renewal notices to go to old addresses, late form returns, and manual document handling that requires scanning and worker rekeying.

The instability is already showing up in enrollment data. Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families reported that, as of October 2025, 36.4 million children were enrolled in Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), one million fewer than at the beginning of 2025. Over that period, 47 states plus the District of Columbia saw child enrollment declines.

At the provider level, that often shows up in simple but costly ways: “Patients arrive without active coverage even though they could have been enrolled on-site, presumptive eligibility opportunities are missed , or renewal lapses are only discovered after a billable encounter is denied”, said Justen. “Each of those failures can turn a reimbursable visit into a write-off.”

The Upstream Fix

AmeriTrust Solutions strengthens how Medicaid applications begin, using verified third-party data prefill and intake optimization to reduce administrative burden before applications enter existing systems, helping agencies receive cleaner, more complete submissions the first time and helping providers initiate coverage earlier. The process can reduce application complexity by roughly 90%, from more than 200 questions to approximately 20 to 25, supporting faster downstream decision-making.

“Too much of the system still responds after coverage is lost or after payment is delayed,” Justen said. “The better approach is to reduce the intake errors and documentation gaps that create that exposure in the first place. If you improve the application at intake, you improve everything downstream.”

About AmeriTrust Solutions
AmeriTrust Solutions is a Medicaid eligibility modernization company focused on improving enrollment accuracy at the point of intake. Built from lived experience navigating Medicaid bureaucracy and refined alongside rural hospitals and state eligibility operators, AmeriTrust Solutions integrates consent-based data verification into existing state systems without requiring full infrastructure replacement. By reducing documentation gaps and administrative friction, AmeriTrust Solutions helps protect public funds, stabilize hospital revenue cycles, and strengthen compliance defensibility under federal oversight. Visit https://ameritrustsolutions.com/.

Sources

Associated Press. (2026, April 28). Medicaid work requirement is about to kick in Nebraska. apnews.com/article/medicaid-work-requirements-nebraska-94555d7d5e739789c46b52f52f737f1bChartis Center for Rural Health. (2026, February 10). 2026 rural health state of the state. Chartis. chartis.com/insights/2026-rural-health-state-stateKFF. (2026, May 6). Status of state Medicaid expansion decisions. kff.org/medicaid/status-of-state-medicaid-expansion-decisions/Musumeci, M., Murphy, C., Leiser, E., Silverman, H., & Azimpoor, K. (2025, June 11). Reducing Medicaid churn: Policies to promote stable health coverage and access to care. The Commonwealth Fund. commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2025/jun/reducing-medicaid-churn-policies-promote-stable-health-coverageOsorio, A., Yafimenka, Y., Little, J., & Alker, J. (2026, February 26). New state-by-state Medicaid and CHIP tracker shows declining enrollment as H.R. 1 cuts loom. Center for Children and Families. ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/02/26/new-state-by-state-medicaid-and-chip-tracker-shows-declining-enrollment-as-h-r-1-cuts-loom/

Media Inquiries:
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JOTO PR
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SOURCE AmeriTrust Solutions

Technology

DATABANK CLOSES $1.45 BILLION IN NEW FINANCING ACROSS TWO TRANSACTIONS

Published

21 minutes ago

June 15, 2026

$800 Million Revolving Credit Facility and $650 Million Upsize of Red Oak, Texas Campus Financing Strengthen DataBank’s Capital Structure and Support Continued Growth

DALLAS, June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DataBank, a leading provider of enterprise-class edge colocation, interconnection, and managed services, today announced the successful closing of two financing transactions totaling $1.45 billion: an $800 million corporate revolving credit facility and a $650 million upsize of its existing construction financing for its Red Oak, Texas data center campus.

$800 Million Revolving Credit Facility

DataBank closed an $800 million revolving credit facility (the “Corporate Revolver”) maturing in 2031. Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital needs, capital expenditures, and liquidity support for the company’s continued growth and acquisition strategy.

This Corporate Revolver was arranged by a syndicate of banks led by Citizens Bank, N.A. along with Joint Lead Arrangers Citibank, MUFG Bank, Ltd., PNC Bank, N.A., TD Securities (USA) LLC, Truist Securities, Inc., U.S. Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Securities.

$650 Million Red Oak Campus Financing Upsize

DataBank also closed a $650 million upsize of its existing $2.0 billion construction financing for its Red Oak, Texas campus, originally announced in April 2026. This brings the total Red Oak campus financing to $2.65 billion. The upsize supports construction of the fourth building on this campus, adding 60 megawatts of incremental IT capacity.

The upsize consists of $400 million in bank financing, led by the same institutions as the April 2026 announcement, and $250 million of notes placed in a private placement, which is DataBank’s first private placement transaction. The private placement marks a significant milestone for DataBank, opening the company to a new institutional investor base and further diversifying its sources of capital for development projects. MUFG served as Lead Placement Agent, with TD Securities (USA) LLC and Barclays as Joint Placement Agents, and Citibank, Citizens Bank, N.A., and National Bank of Canada as Co-Placement Agents.

“This new revolving credit facility strengthens our financial flexibility and reflects the confidence our lending partners have in DataBank’s business model and long-term growth trajectory,” said Raul K. Martynek, Chief Executive Officer of DataBank.

“As demand for data center capacity continues to accelerate, having a robust and flexible capital structure is essential. This revolver, combined with the upsized Red Oak financing and our inaugural private placement, positions DataBank to move decisively as we expand our platform and deepen our relationships with hyperscale, cloud, and enterprise customers,” said Kevin Ooley, President and Chief Financial Officer of DataBank.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP served as legal counsel to DataBank on both transactions.

About DataBank

DataBank helps the world’s largest enterprises, technology, and content providers ensure their data and applications are always on, always secure, always compliant, and ready to scale to meet the needs of the artificial intelligence era.

Recognized by Deloitte in 2023 and 2024, and Inc. 5000 in 2024 as one of the fastest-growing private US companies, DataBank’s edge colocation and infrastructure footprint consists of 70+ “HPC-ready” data centers in 25+ markets, 20 interconnection hubs, and on-ramps to an ecosystem of cloud providers with virtually unlimited reach.

We combine these platforms with contract portability, managed security, compliance enablement, hands-on support, and a guarantee of 100% uptime availability, to give our customers absolute confidence in their IT infrastructure and the power to create a boundless digital future for their business.

To learn more, follow us on LinkedIn or subscribe to our YouTube channel. To tour a facility, visit DataBank or call 1(800) 840-7533.

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SOURCE DataBank

Technology

Hasung Expands Global Reach with Advanced Precious Metal Processing Solutions

Published

22 minutes ago

June 15, 2026

SHENZHEN, China, June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hasung, a professional solutions provider in the field of precious metals and alloys founded in 2014, is leveraging its years of accumulated expertise in precious metal processing and independent R&D capabilities to accelerate the internationalization of Chinese high-end precious metal equipment manufacturing, as the global jewelry manufacturing and precious metal processing industry continues to develop towards higher precision, higher purity, and higher efficiency.

The global jewelry market reached approximately USD 381.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to exceed USD 578 billion by 2033, driving increasing demand for high-precision precious metal manufacturing technologies, according to Grand View Research.

Advanced Precious Metal Processing Technology as the Upgrading Direction

In the field of precious metal processing, purity determines value, and details reveal quality. As global refineries, jewelers, and gold bullion manufacturers place stringent demands on product quality and manufacturing efficiency, traditional processing methods have become the production bottleneck due to unresolved issues such as oxidation, porosity, and precision. As a result, advanced casting, melting, and precision processing technologies are emerging as an important development direction for high-end precious metal manufacturing.

Guided by a focus on technology and product quality, Hasung has gradually formed an independent and highly stable core product system based on its deep understanding of industrial automation systems and advanced technology R&D capabilities. This system covers continuous casting equipment, metal granulating equipment, induction melting furnaces, gold bar casting machines, jewelry casting machines, metal powder making machines, etc.

This precious metal solution, which integrates intelligent control, efficient heating, and precision forming, effectively addresses the core pain points of the precious metal processing industry, such as oxidation control, yield, and production efficiency. Advanced IGBT wafers and high-frequency heating technology not only enable rapid melting of metal in a very short time, but also significantly reduce unit energy consumption. The PID intelligent temperature control system ensures that the molten metal has optimal fluidity, avoiding shrinkage porosity or uneven grain structure caused by temperature fluctuations.

Meanwhile, Hasung places strong emphasis on process stability and precision control. Through continuous optimization of equipment structure, temperature management, and automation systems, the company helps customers achieve greater consistency in precious metal casting and processing operations.

Rising Demand for High-Precision Precious Metal Processing Equipment

High-end precious metal processing equipment has long been dominated by German and Japanese manufacturers, especially when it comes to precision casting, temperature precision, and automation.

As manufacturers worldwide increasingly prioritize casting quality, material utilization, and process consistency, companies with strong engineering capabilities are gaining greater opportunities to compete in the global market.

Through sustained investment in engineering innovation, intelligent control systems, and precision manufacturing technologies, Hasung has continued to strengthen its competitiveness in high-end precious metal processing equipment. The results show up in how the equipment actually performs in production environments: more consistent, more reliable, less operator intervention.

That reputation has opened doors. Hasung’s equipment is now running in jewelry workshops, precious metal refineries, and advanced materials operations across Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and South America.

Expanding from Jewelry into Advanced Materials

As the global advanced manufacturing industry continues to increase its demand for high-performance metal materials, advanced precious metal processing technology is applied from the jewelry industry to a wider range of industrial applications.

In addition to the traditional jewelry manufacturing market, Hasung has also been actively expanding its applications in advanced materials and scientific research in recent years, like metal powder manufacturing, new material experimentation, precision alloy processing, and others. Its clients include not only jewelry manufacturers but also new material companies, university laboratories, and solder companies.

In the future, Hasung will intensify its R&D investment in precious metal processing technology, intelligent automation, and precision control, continuously improving product performance and global service capabilities.

“Thirteen years ago, we moved into precious metals industry,” said Mr. Xiang, the founder of Hasung, “year after year we’ve kept pursuing technology development and been committed to driving technological innovation in the global precious metals industry through China’s smart manufacturing.”

About Hasung

Hasung is a national high-tech enterprise based in Shenzhen, specializing in the manufacturing of equipment for precious metals and new materials processing. Its main products include vacuum pressure casting machines, gold bar casting machines, silver bullion casting machines, jewelry casting machines, jewelry rolling mills, metal powder making machines, gold chain making machines, etc., which are sold to more than 80 countries and regions around the world.

Media Contact:

Shenzhen Hasung Precious Metals Equipment Technology Co., Ltd
No.11, Jinyuan 1st Road, Heao Community, Yuanshan Street, Longgang District, Shenzhen, China 518115
Email: sales@hasungmachinery.com
Tel: +86 17898439424
www.hasungmachinery.com

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SOURCE Shenzhen Hasung Precious Metals Equipment Technology Co., Ltd

Technology

LifeNet Health, NASA, and UNOS Complete First-of-Its-Kind Drone Kidney Transport Study to Help Save More Lives

Published

22 minutes ago

June 15, 2026

HAMPTON, Va., June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Teams from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), NASA Langley Research Center, and LifeNet Health successfully completed a groundbreaking study transporting human kidneys by drone beyond visual line of sight, marking a major milestone in the future of organ transportation and transplantation.

The June 5 flights highlight the potential for drone technology to support future innovations in organ transportation, with the goal of improving reliability, reducing transit times, and helping save more lives through transplantation.

During the study, the kidneys were biopsied and placed on preservation pumps before and after the flights to assess whether drone transportation affected organ integrity. Temperature, pressure, and altitude were monitored throughout the approximately 15-minute flights. Preliminary findings showed no evidence that the flights negatively affected the organs.

Organ transplantation is one of the most time-sensitive processes in healthcare. Once recovered, organs have only a limited window of viability, making efficient transportation critical to successful transplantation. Delays can impact organ function, patient outcomes, and whether a transplant can occur at all. Transportation innovation, including the exploration of drone technology, has the potential to expand access to transplantation for patients on the waitlist or reduce the time to transplant, improving patient outcomes.

“With more than 100,000 people currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant nationwide, innovation in organ transportation is essential,” said UNOS Interim CEO Mark Johnson. “This successful collaboration represents an important step toward making organ transportation safer, faster, and more efficient.”

According to national transplant data, another person is added to the U.S. transplant waiting list every eight minutes, while 13 people die each day waiting for an organ that never arrives. More than 3,000 people in Virginia alone are currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant.

The kidneys used in the study were donated for research by a donor family working with LifeNet Health after it was determined the organs would not be transplanted. Through these gifts, the organizations were able to evaluate how drone transportation may support future advances in transplantation logistics and organ preservation.

While transplantation saves lives today, donation for research helps save lives tomorrow. Organs and tissues that cannot be used for transplant can still help scientists improve preservation methods, develop new therapies, and explore future innovations in transplantation and patient care.

“Just as every patient waiting for a transplant matters, so does the timely transportation of the organs and tissues that can save and heal lives,” said Rony Thomas, President and CEO of LifeNet Health. “Advancing transportation and logistics innovation can make a meaningful difference in ensuring these lifesaving gifts reach patients when they are needed most.”

The study also highlights the broader impact of research donation. A single research donation can support multiple scientific studies and discoveries that may improve transplant outcomes and benefit patients for years to come. Many medical advances used in transplantation today were made possible through the generosity of donors and their families.

Donation for research occurs only with proper authorization and under strict ethical and regulatory standards. Families receive clear information about the process and can make informed decisions that honor their loved one’s wishes.

UNOS, NASA, and LifeNet Health continue exploring opportunities to further evaluate drone transportation in operational environments, including transporting research organs between hospitals and airports.

For updates and more information, follow:

NASA Langley Research Center LinkedIn
NASA Langley Research Center X
NASA Langley Research Center Instagram
NASA Langley Research Center Facebook
NASA Langley Research Center YouTube
UNOS Facebook
UNOS LinkedIn
UNOS Instagram
LifeNet Health LinkedIn
LifeNet Health Facebook
LifeNet Health Instagram

About UNOS
UNOS is a nonprofit organization with decades of experience in helping save lives through research, technology, innovation and education.

About LifeNet Health
As a global leader in regenerative medicine, LifeNet Health continues to push the boundaries to give healing every advantage. The organization offers groundbreaking transplantation and cellular solutions that support healthcare providers and powers scientific research. This forward-focused approach has improved life for millions of patients, all while honoring donor heroes and their families. For more information, visit: www.lifenethealth.org.

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SOURCE LifeNet Health