Congress is considering the largest cuts to Medicaid in the program’s history. Medicaid provides health insurance to nearly 1.3 million Pennsylvania children, including 38% of children in PA-7.
In rural Pennsylvania, 24% of women ages 19 to 44 rely on Medicaid for health insurance. Medicaid helps ensure that women are healthy before, during, and after pregnancy.
Rep. Ryan Mackenzie voted to cut Medicaid.
As families grapple with the rising costs of everyday expenses, it’s more important than ever that they have access to high-quality, affordable health care for both physical and mental health.
One Child’s Story
Allyson Weber, Schnecksville, PA
Allyson is a nurse from Schnecksville, PA. Her son, Christopher, was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness and atrophy.
Christopher is now 16 years old and requires significant care due to his condition. He sleeps with a ventilator, eats through a g-tube, and has his oxygen levels monitored around the clock. Medicaid pays for all of his care. When he was born, doctors gave him a prognosis of only two years, but he has surpassed those expectations thanks to Medicaid.
With the technology and care Medicaid provides, Christopher can live at home and participate in activities he loves. For example, he has joined the Miracle League of Lehigh County, which provides opportunities for children with disabilities to engage in sports.
Allyson is worried that cuts to Medicaid may mean Christopher would have to live in an institution, where she is scared he wouldn’t receive care as compassionately as the care he receives at home. She’s determined to keep him at home as long as she can.
The elimination of health care benefits will have immediate adverse effects on the health and well-being of the children and families who depend on them.
Because one child without health insurance is too many.
We cannot afford the largest cuts in the history of the Medicaid program.
To learn more, check out these resources: Medicaid and CHIP enrollment fact sheets and the State of Children’s Health in Pennsylvania.
