Overall, 42 percent of Americans oppose the budget bill “changing tax, spending and Medicaid policies,” compared with 23 percent who support the bill and 34 percent who say they have no opinion.

Hospitals are not used to losing on Capitol Hill. In recent years they have successfully fought off efforts to lower Medicare payments for their outpatient clinics so they’re in line with doctors’ offices. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have criticized hospitals for getting paid more for performing the same service.