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Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Forum at Pitt-Johnstown highlights concerns over potential for Medicaid cuts
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Twenty-one percent of Somerset County's population was enrolled in some type of Medicaid coverage as of March. The number was even higher in Cambria County, at 26%. Numerous services were available to those people with limited income or resources, including inpatient hospital treatment, transportation, rural health clinics, drug and alcohol rehab, pediatric care and nursing facility living. Recently, though, a Republican budget resolution was introduced calling for the House Energy and Commerce Committee to cut at least $880 billion in costs through 2034. That could require making significant reductions to Medicaid, a joint federal-state program that the committee oversees. Medicaid spending was approximately $890 billion in 2023, with the federal government covering about two-thirds and states contributing the remainder. Medicaid Matters forum Panelists United Way of the Southern Alleghenies President and CEO Karen Struble Myers, certified community health worker Jason Rilogio, and Highlands Health Clinic Executive Director Rosalie Danchanko participate in Locals for Good's Medicaid Matters forum at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown's John P. Murtha Center for Public Service and National Competitiveness on Monday, April 21, 2025. On Monday, a newly formed group called Locals for Good brought attention to the issue by hosting a Medicaid Matters forum at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown's John P. Murtha Center for Public Service and National Competitiveness. The panel consisted of Highlands Health Clinic Executive Director Rosalie Danchanko, certified community health worker Jason Rilogio, United Way of the Southern Alleghenies President and CEO Karen Struble Myers, Center for Population Health Executive Director Jeannine McMillan, and Cambria Residential Services Executive Director Jim Cook. The event was moderated by The Tribune-Democrat Publisher Chip Minemyer. 'There's so much disinformation out there about what it actually does, what it actually means to people,' Locals for Good volunteer Todd Holsopple said. 'We wanted to give this opportunity as a way for people to learn more about it.' Medicaid Matters forum Center for Population Health Executive Director Jeannine McMillan gives a presentation during Locals for Good's Medicaid Matters forum at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown's John P. Murtha Center for Public Service and National Competitiveness on Monday, April 21, 2025. All the panelists expressed concerns about what could happen if big cuts are made to Medicaid. 'I've followed this forever and I'm not an alarmist, but in 55 years of studying government in Washington, this is the most threatening, frightening thing I have seen in 55 years,' Cook said. Danchanko said there are 'a lot of problems' and 'a lot of concerns,' but hoped that the forum would educate people 'so that we can move forward to take action.' Struble Myers said cuts would 'hurt our most vulnerable residents.' 'Above all else, it feels like a penalty for being in poverty. … Taking away fundamental health care for folks will ultimately debilitate our community,' she said. Medicaid Matters forum United Way of the Southern Alleghenies President and CEO Karen Struble Myers speaks during Locals for Good's Medicaid Matters forum at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown's John P. Murtha Center for Public Service and National Competitiveness on Monday, April 21, 2025. Rilogio said reductions could negatively affect local hospitals and necessitate states taking money from other areas in order to offset losses of federal Medicaid dollars. 'If our hospitals fail, everybody that works in human services or medical won't have a job,' Rilogio said. 'I don't understand. I think the whole city should be in this room. There's not going to be food for all the people that are laid off, all the nurses, all the cleaning staff at the hospitals.' McMillan talked about reactions she is seeing in the community. 'We do hear (concerns) from folks every day,' McMillan said, 'and we're really just trying to bring some of that localized data and conversation around that, let folks share their concerns. Hopefully we can take those concerns back to some of our elected leaders and share what we've heard from their constituents.' Locals for Good plans to host a Defend Medicaid rally beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday at Central Park in downtown Johnstown.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Medicaid matters': Johnstown group plans town hall, rally to highlight Medicaid's impact
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A citizens group concerned about potential Medicaid cuts is planning a week of Johnstown events to raise awareness about the wide role that the program plays in the region. Approximately 26% of Cambria County's residents are covered by Medicaid, as well as 166,191 people across the 13th Congressional District, which also includes a stretch of the state from Northern Cambria and Altoona to Chambersburg, and is represented by U.S. Rep. Dr. John Joyce, R-Blair. Formed as a nonpartisan group to illustrate just how much 'Medicaid matters' across the region, Locals for Good is planning a town hall, a panel discussion with local experts and a peaceful Central Park rally over the coming days. 'Access to health care deeply impacts our community at every level, and we have urgent concerns about the impact of Medicaid cuts on individuals and families who depend on this funding for medical care,' said Ashlee Kiel, who is among the group's organizers. Ashlee Kiel Ashlee Kiel Locals for Good, she said, formed to 'empower folks to take action to advocate for issues related to civil rights, social welfare and democracy.' Medicaid's impact covers a cross-section of Pennsylvanians, with 77% of its spending on senior citizens and people with disabilities. That includes 4,201 children across the 13th District 'with complex needs and disabilities,' the group said. But it also supports prenatal and post-partum care for pregnant women, low-wage workers and school-based health services, among others. Medicaid funding also supports programs cited with helping Cambria County see historic gains in its daunting battle against drug addiction over the past several years – enabling people struggling with substance abuse to receive treatment and support. 'Medicaid enables me and others like me to stay well, stay in recovery and contribute to communities,' said Jason Rilogio, a former drug user who now works as a certified peer recovery specialist to help other substance abusers rebuild their lives. Jason Rilogio Jason Rilogio Locals for Good is among a growing number of organizations that mobilized over the past several months, during a time the Trump administration's planned federal spending cuts has generated panic about how Medicaid – among the government's largest budget items – could be impacted. With certain big-ticket budget categories, such as defense and border security, set to rise under the 2025-26 budget, Medicaid spending comprises 93% of the federal spending categories being eyed for cuts, according to figures from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. President Donald Trump has sent mixed messages on the possibility of how Medicare spending could be cut, although in his most recent interview on the topic he insisted that Americans who rely on the program shouldn't be concerned. 'I've said it so many times that you shouldn't even be asking me that question,' Trump told the media in late February. 'We're not going to touch it. Now, we are going to look for fraud.' He's cited benefits received by people no longer entitled to receive benefits, and deceased recipients, among examples. But the president and House GOP allies have also set a mandate for an $880 billion spending cut over the next 10 years – with critics warning that many of the proposals would either result in sharp cuts to the Medicaid program or enact changes, and modified allocations, that would force states such as Pennsylvania to respond at the state-level. Insurers, health providers and advocacy groups have been sounding the alarm to raise awareness. The goal is to show members of Congress in both political parties that Medicare should be a priority – during a point when federal budget planning is still a work in progress, local advocates said. Town hall The first event will be held Thursday as a 'Defend Social Security and Medicaid Town Hall' at 106 Fairfield Ave. 'Anyone who depends on Medicaid or is concerned about the impact Medicaid cuts will have on their families and community is encouraged to attend,' the organization wrote in a release to media. Attendees will have the chance to share their stories about why the programs are important to them. Doors to the event open at 5:30 p.m., with the event starting at 6 p.m. 'Medicaid Matters' forum Locals for Good, also called LFG, will hold the Medicaid Matters Forum April 21 at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in Richland Township. The event will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the John P. Murtha Center at 450 Schoolhouse Road. Pitt-Johnstown's American Democracy Scholar Program and The Tribune- Democrat are partnering on the forum with Locals for Good. As planned, the event will feature panelists from organizations that rely on Medicaid funds to provide local services to Cambria County residents. That includes Rilogio, a co-chair of the Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Planning Council and a voting member of the Cambria County Drug and Alcohol Program, as well as Highlands Health Clinic Executive Director Rosalie Danchanko, who is also a Victim Services of Cambria and Somerset counties founder. Additional panelists are expected. The group is hopeful the region's Capitol Hill legislators will also attend. Joyce and U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and David McCormick have been invited, as well as the area's state lawmakers, the group said. Park 'Rally' The awareness campaign's final event this month will include an outdoor rally from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. April 26 at Johnstown's Central Park. Mirroring 'Hands Off!' events that occurred across the U.S. over the past several weeks – including State College April 5 – a Hands Off our Healthcare rally is being billed as a chance for local residents to speak out in a unified voice. 'Anyone who is concerned about this issue is invited to come and make their voice heard,' Locals for Good wrote.
