June 27, 2025 - Honesdale, PA
Proposed Medicaid cuts in Congressional Republicans' budget bill would have devastating impacts on Pennsylvania's health care system. Shapiro Administration officials joined rural health leaders at Wayne Memorial Hospital to express concerns about the devastating effects of the proposed cuts on rural Pennsylvanians and health care providers. "The proposed changes to the Medicaid program would have grave consequences for health care across Pennsylvania, from hospitals to individuals in both urban and rural communities," said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. "When people do not have health insurance, they are forced to forego preventive care and rely on emergency care. This, in turn, leads not only to worse health outcomes, but also increases uncompensated health care services, increases insurance premiums, and increases health care costs for all Pennsylvanians - on top of contributing to overcrowded emergency rooms." Currently, proposed changes to Medicaid could strip health coverage from more than 300,000 Pennsylvanians, drive up health care costs, and put rural hospitals out of business. But the impact of the current federal proposal doesn't end there. The bill fails to extend enhanced premium tax credits available to Pennsylvanians who purchase health insurance through Pennie, Pennsylvania's official health insurance marketplace. These tax credits have made coverage more affordable than ever, and if they expire on schedule at the end of this year, it will also risk health insurance for an additional 270,000 Pennsylvanians, adding to the risk to hospitals and an increase in our rates of uninsured and/or uncompensated care.Speakers Include:Jim Pettinato, Wayne Memorial Health System CEODr. Debra Bogen, Secretary of HealthMike Humphreys, Insurance CommissionerSara Goulet, Department of Human Services Special AdvisorNicole Stallings, Hospital & Healthsystem Assoc. of PA CEOKara Poremba, Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers Chief Quality Officer