26-04-2025
'Hands off our healthcare': Rally protests potential Medicaid cuts
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Former caseworker Arlene Klonicke recalled the children she's seen in the foster care system, all of whom depend on Medicaid.
She fears the far-reaching cuts looming over the federal medical assistance program.
"If you saw those faces, you would never allow this to happen," Klonicke said. "Every child in foster care gets Medicaid. We have to keep it."
Shivering in cold weather Saturday, about 50 people participated in a "Hands off our healthcare" rally in downtown Johnstown's Central Park.
Last month, medicaid recipients were alarmed by the introduction of a Republican budget resolution that calls for the House Energy and Commerce Committee to cut at least $880 billion in costs through 2034 – gashes that could mean significant reductions to Medicaid, a joint federal-state program that the committee oversees.
President Donald Trump's administration has said it will not cut Medicaid benefits, but has not made it clear how such a large gash could be made without affecting Medicaid recipients.
Believing cuts to Medicaid to be inevitable under the current proposal, a grassroots group called Locals for Good hosted the rally Saturday.
"We know the only way the budget proclamation happens is if they go after Medicaid," Todd Holsopple said. "They are playing with people's lives. That's why they are here today. They know they are being threatened."
For Talyor Fraley, 33, of Johnstown, Medicaid has provided medication to fend off seizures, which are triggered by nothing except "just existing."
He also spoke during the rally, in which he said he felt heartened to be joined with others in his community who never expected they would be facing the end of life-sustaining health care.
"Here's where we are, and here's where we stand," Fraley said.
The voices of people Johnstown, encompassed in the 13th Congressional District, are critical to keeping Medicaid intact, rally participants said.
U.S. Rep John Joyce, R-Blair, who represents the 13th District, has "incredible power" right now, Holsopple said.
Joyce is vice chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid.
"Any bill that would cut these programs is going to start in his committee," Holsopple said.
Holsopple said he feels Joyce has detached himself from voters.
"At least listen to your constituency," Holsopple said.
Joyce was in Rome Saturday with a congressional delegation selected to attend Pope Francis' funeral. Calls to Joyce's staff were not returned Saturday for a response to the future of Medicaid or the sentiment of those at the Johnstown rally.
Highlands Health Clinic Executive Director Rosalie Danchanko addressed the people at the rally, some of them patients of her clinic.
Highlands Health Clinic served 1,200 Medicaid recipients in 2024, but across Cambria County, 116,000 people use Medicaid, she said.
"These Medicaid cuts are $880 billion," Danchanko said. "That's my mantra."
Danchanko emphasized that a majority of people on Medicaid are working people who "need a boost," whether it's through federally funded transportation to appointments, medication or drug addiction help.
She urged people to "find their voice, to vote, and stand up for their rights."
Danchanko urged everyone in the crowd to take out their phones to copy a phone number that was for Joyce's office. The number was displayed with help of two people holding large signs.
One woman in the crowd, Adrienne Daily, called the number immediately and with the others listening, she left a voice mail: "Cuts to Medicaid will not be tolerated."
