SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Leaders in Scranton are sounding the alarm over federal Medicaid cuts, warning they could put hospitals and patient care at serious risk across Pennsylvania.
At the Scranton Senior Community Center, officials joined advocates with Protect Our Care Pennsylvania, raising concerns about nearly $1 trillion in projected Medicaid spending reductions over the next decade and changes to the Affordable Care Act.
They say those cuts could have widespread impacts, potentially forcing hospitals and care facilities to close, especially in rural communities.
Medicaid currently covers nearly 3 million Pennsylvanians, about 23% of the state’s population, and supports services ranging from emergency care to nursing homes. Advocates warn the changes could result in more than 300,000 Pennsylvanians losing coverage, while costing the state billions in federal Medicaid funding.
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti says Scranton’s healthcare system is already under strain.
“We’re talking to hospital administrators who are not sure how they’re going to move forward as these Medicaid cuts come into view. We were already in a healthcare crisis here, in Scranton. We know that Regional and Moses were on the chopping block. We know GMC is crowded. We worked in the city to expand their ability to grow, but there’s only so much we can do at the local level. If the federal funding isn’t there, healthcare here doesn’t work,” said Cognetti.
Leaders also warn that fewer insured patients could mean more people relying on emergency rooms for basic care, driving up costs and increasing pressure on already stretched staff.
State Representative Kosierowski echoed those concerns, saying hospitals and staff are already overwhelmed.
“Our emergency rooms are already taxed. Our staff is taxed, our E.R. doctors, or nurses, all the ancillary staff. We cannot afford to do what we have done in the federal government. I think that’s the most dangerous thing and the most criminal thing.,” said Rep. Kosierowski.
Healthcare leaders note the industry is the largest employment sector in the Commonwealth, making up about 21% of jobs in Northeast Pennsylvania, meaning funding cuts could also have economic ripple effects.
Meanwhile, supporters of current federal efforts say they are working to strengthen healthcare access.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Rob Bresnahan says the congressman has supported expanding care across the region.
“Rep. Bresnahan has and will continue to champion efforts to preserve and expand healthcare access for all of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Just this month, he requested federal funding for a new MRI Machine for Wayne Memorial Hospital and for a Women’s Imaging and Breast Care Center at Moses Taylor Hospital. From his instrumental work to keep Regional Hospital of Scranton and Moses Taylor Hospital open for the people, to his record on voting to extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits, to his involvement securing $193 million in federal funds for Pennsylvania rural healthcare, he has shown up time and time again to fight for his constituents.”
The debate comes as the nation marks 15 years since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, highlighting ongoing divisions over the future of healthcare funding.