Montana health care advocates are rallying to prevent potential Medicaid cuts, using the Affordable Care Act's 16th anniversary to protest the potential cuts and urge state lawmakers to protect rural hospitals. The rally took place at Saint Patrick Hospital in Missoula. Advocates believe two recent proposals could affect state Medicaid funding and impact rural hospitals, including the state's plan to enforce federal Medicaid work requirements in Montana. The state health department may not pay the 3% Medicaid provider rate increase passed last year, which they believe could result in service reductions and provider payment cuts. A new analysis from the Center for Quality Healthcare and Payment Reform showed that 30% of Montana's rural hospitals are at risk of closure, with three in immediate danger.