Intimate reporting reveals the human toll of Medicaid cuts on a rural New England community

By By Michael Casey, Amanda Swinhart and Robert F. Bukaty

To bring the impact of federal Medicaid cuts into sharp focus, an AP Northeast team documented the closure of a rural health center in New Hampshire — one of the few lifelines for patients in a medically underserved community.

Reporter Michael Casey gained rare, full access to the clinic during its final days. Video journalist Amanda Swinhart built trust over weeks of visits, overcoming initial hesitance from patients to capture their stories on camera. Photographer Robert F. Bukaty joined them to document the quiet unraveling of care.

Their persistence paid off in powerful moments: emotional goodbyes between patients and caregivers, and firsthand scenes of how policy decisions ripple through small towns.

The resulting exclusive package, told through text, video and photojournalism, went far beyond political debate. It delivered a devastating, character-driven portrait of what happens when essential health care disappears. The series also included a “What to Know” explainer to provide context for readers navigating similar issues in their own communities.

With nearly 50,000 views, the story struck a chord with readers and offered a uniquely intimate window into the lived consequences of federal health care policy.