ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Public comment dominated the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners’ meeting Wednesday night.
Impassioned commenters voiced concerns about changes to Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program requirements.
For a Bethlehem mother, disruptions to benefits such as SNAP and Medicaid are making a “terrible situation even worse.” She said the programs help her and her family survive because she cannot work due to mental and physical disabilities. Without them, she said, they would likely be homeless.
“These are families without access to medicine…children going without doctors’ visits,” said Mary Ellen Jackson, a resident.
A Lehigh County resident spoke about her brother, who is unable to live completely independently. Although she and her family supported him, as family members aged and services waned, he ended up spending the holidays in transitional housing.
The speaker highlighted the speed at which these types of changes can occur. For those who are not as fortunate, she said, they can end up homeless, incarcerated, or worse. Programs that help her brother also help the community at large, she said.
“Nothing exists without these programs,” she said. “I urge you to understand what’s at stake here.”
Residents also expressed fears over rising medical premiums and distress over expired premium subsidies.
One resident, a cancer survivor, said she requires testing and bloodwork to monitor her condition. Her costs have increased tremendously following the expiration of premium subsidies.
“I hope something gets done about the ACA (Affordable Care Act) subsidies,” she said.
Board of Commissioners Chair Geoff Brace guided residents experiencing benefits disruptions to contact their state representatives, who, he said, have access to additional resources for benefit restoration. He also said the county’s communications structure is being improved to allow better access to information about sources of help.