Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA) was recorded in a brief confrontation with a political operative who questioned him about earlier comments on rural hospital closures, an issue that has drawn renewed attention as Iowa health care providers report closures and layoffs.

As Nunn walked past with another man, the operative asked, "Congressman Nunn, do you still think that rural hospital closures are a myth?"

"I'm with a constituent. Come on," Nunn replied, sounding irritated as he attempted to wave the operative away.

The operative continued, asking, "No response, sir?" and began following him.

"No, I said I'm with a constituent," Nunn said, turning toward the operative's phone camera. "You should protect their privacy." Nunn then moved to slap at the phone, and the video briefly shifted out of focus.

According to Iowa reporter Laura R. Belin, the person walking with Nunn was a reporter, not a constituent as Nunn stated during the exchange.

Nunn, who is considered a major Democratic target in the November midterm elections, previously addressed the issue in a March local news interview. In that interview, he said, "I think the myth here is that rural hospitals are going to close down" as a result of President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" Medicaid cuts, adding, "That’s not the case."

That earlier comment is central to the confrontation because it put Nunn on record dismissing concerns that the Medicaid cuts would force rural hospitals to shut down. Some rural hospitals, including facilities in Iowa, have already closed or reduced staff while citing federal cuts as a reason. The Des Moines Register has reported on Iowa health care closures and layoffs, including a MercyOne Ottumwa clinic closure and layoffs at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center.