Latest news with #UnitedWayoftheSouthernAlleghenies
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
12-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
United Ways across Pennsylvania celebrate PA 211 Day
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — February 11 is recognized as 211 Day in Pennsylvania. It's an initiative from the United Ways in the state to remind Pennsylvanians that they don't have to navigate challenges alone. If you dial 211 in Pennsylvania you'll be connected with someone who can refer you to housing, food, or utility assistance. The resource is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Last year 6,761 people in Blair, Cambria, and Somerset Counties reached out to the United Way of the Southern Alleghenies for help with housing & shelters, food security, utility assistance, and caring for an aging relative. 'We're seeing a lot of increasing needs around housing and utility assistance in particular. A lot of people are feeling the pinch of the economy and need a little bit of extra support these days,' Karen Struble Myers, President & CEO of United Way of the Southern Alleghenies said. Centre County gives nursing home $900,000 in funding, more potentially on the way In 2024, Blair County also had the most referrals, which means the county had the most need. 'We bring a lot of local programming here through 34 different partner agencies, all devoted to helping the health, education, well-being and economic stability of residents across Blair, Cambria and Somerset counties. So there's really a lot of great work that gets done by our community-based nonprofit, as well as a direct service work we do here at the United Way through resource, referral, our diaper bank program, as well as our snap at the market program to enhance food security,' Myers said. There are several ways to connect with a United Way in your area. You can dial or chat with 211. You can also text your zip code to 898-211. The website was recently updated to make it easier to find local resources. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
United Way observing PA 211 program of helping those in need
United Way groups across Pennsylvania are celebrating PA 211 Day on Tuesday, recognizing the vital role this free, confidential service plays in helping residents connect with essential health and human services. PA 211 operates all day, every day of the year to assist individuals in Somerset, Cambria and Blair counties in finding the help they need from housing and utility assistance to food security and childcare support – whether for themselves, a friend, or a loved one. "211 is completely confidential and free. Anyone can use the program simply by making the call, text, or online communication," said Rick Kazmer, community relationship and marketing manager for United Way of the Southern Alleghenies, in an email. "This is a very important program that helps us to gauge community needs, in addition to helping people find the right program." More: Special Olympics Pennsylvania celebrating 46th annual Winter Games at Seven Springs United Way of the Southern Alleghenies funds PA 211 in partnership with the PA 211 Network. Call 2-1-1, text your ZIP code to 898-211, or search for resources online at Calls from this region are handled by a team of trained care navigators in Allegheny County, who are knowledgeable about local programs such as the diaper bank, emergency assistance programs, and early childhood education resources, that ensure children have success early in life. More: Redevelopment Authority of Somerset County to apply for housing rehab funding "PA 211 is a lifeline for so many people in our communities," United Way of the Southern Alleghenies President and CEO Karen Struble Myers said in a press release. "Unexpected challenges – financial or health-related – can create stress. PA 211 is there to mitigate the problems by connecting individuals to community-based resources." PA 211 can help in situations such as: Caring for an aging friend or relative and not knowing where to start. Struggling to pay rent or keep the power on. Worrying about putting food on the table for your family. "This is a streamlined program that provides residents with an instant way to communicate with a trained care navigator during a time in their lives when they just need a little help. The navigators are knowledgeable about United Way programs in Somerset County, including our diaper bank," Kazmer said in an email. "Housing, food security, and utility assistance continue to be leading reasons whey people contact 211." Pennsylvanians have been able to turn to PA 211 for help since 2020, according to the press release. Locally, 67% of contacts in Somerset, Cambria and Blair counties are related to housing, food, and utility assistance – with more than 6,000 requests answered within the last year alone, according to PA 211 Counts. Madolin Edwards has been a journalist at the Daily American for 38 years, covering school boards, borough councils, sports and new stories. Contact the Daily American staff writers at news@ This article originally appeared on The Daily American: United Way celebrating PA 211 Day on Feb.11
