ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A group of protesters gathered in the cold in downtown Allentown Monday to call on Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to protect SNAP, Medicaid, and Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.
Aidalis Martinez said losing her food stamps during the shutdown wasn’t easy.
“It’s been stressful. I didn’t think that I was going to get any SNAP benefits at all,” said Martinez.
And that stress isn’t over. She’s worried new work requirements for SNAP recipients could kick her off, but when we spoke with Rep. Mackenzie directly Monday, he defended the work requirements.
“Public opinion is over 70% of people support a work requirement like this,” said Rep. Mackenzie. “These are common-sense work requirements again that are in place for every other human services program.”
So, Medicaid and SNAP recipients may have to live with the new changes for now, but what about health insurance under the ACA?
“He’s already voted to cut SNAP and Medicaid benefits; now will he sit by and let our health insurance premiums skyrocket?” said Lehigh County Commissioner Jon Irons.
Those premiums will depend on whether the ACA subsidies are extended. Rep. Mackenzie said, even though he voted to cut the subsidy when voting for the Big Beautiful Bill, this time he’d be a yes vote to extend them, with certain caveats.
“I think it’s appropriate to extend them but also put in place caps for high income individuals. That was something that was never included in that initial legislation,” said Rep. Mackenzie.
Rep. Mackenzie said he’s part of a bi-partisan group of House lawmakers who are working to come up with a deal that would convince Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to bring the ACA subsidy extension up for a vote on the House floor if it passes the Senate. It’s a vote thousands in the Lehigh Valley, and millions across the country, will be watching closely next month.