{"id":273439,"date":"2026-08-27T20:18:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T20:18:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/273439\/"},"modified":"2026-08-27T20:18:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T20:18:10","slug":"care-a-van-travels-through-area-with-health-care-cost-freeze-message","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/273439\/","title":{"rendered":"Care-a-van travels through area with health care cost freeze message"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A coalition of advocates for health care reform traveled from Scranton to Wilkes-Barre to Hazleton on Thursday in a Care-A-Van with a message to major insurance corporations calling for a healthcare cost freeze. The group was led by an ice cream truck and featured heart-shaped popsicles and ice sculptures with the message to executives: \u201cWarm your hearts, freeze our costs.\u201d Patients, community members, health advocates and caregivers spoke about their struggles with unaffordable healthcare, along with the spiraling cost of groceries, gas, housing and utilities. They delivered a petition to each of the insurance corporations with over 650 signers calling for a cost freeze. The Care-A-Van was led by an ice cream truck and featured heart-shaped popsicles and ice sculptures with message to executives: \u201cWarm your hearts, freeze our costs!\u201d The contingent first stopped at the State Office Building on Lackawanna Avenue in Scranton, then moved to Highmark Health on North Main Street in Wilkes-Barre, then to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Jefferson Health on East Broad Street in Hazleton. The group then traveled to Geisinger Corporate Headquarters in Danville.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Nursing home activities assistant Lori Obaroski, of Taylor, speaks to...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes-tribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/STT-L-CAREAVAN-0828-01.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Nursing home activities assistant Lori Obaroski, of Taylor, speaks to supporters, coalition leaders and health care union members at the Health-Care-A-Van rally on Lackawanna Avenue in Scranton Thursday, August 27, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"SEIU Healthcare member and organizer Rachael Herczeg decorates her car...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes-tribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/STT-L-CAREAVAN-0828-04.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>SEIU Healthcare member and organizer Rachael Herczeg decorates her car for the Health-Care-A-Van in the parking lot near the Lackawanna Transit Center  on Lackawanna Avenue in Scranton Thursday, August 27, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Kali VanWert, registered nurse for Geisinger Community Medical Center and...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes-tribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/STT-L-CAREAVAN-0828-05.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Kali VanWert,  registered nurse for Geisinger Community Medical Center and member of the Pennsylvania Assocation of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP) decorates her car for the Health-Care-A-Van in the parking lot near the Lackawanna Transit Center  on Lackawanna Avenue in Scranton Thursday, August 27, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Aaron Troisi, SEIU Health PA political director, speaks to supporters...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes-tribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/STT-L-CAREAVAN-0828-03.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Aaron Troisi, SEIU Health PA political director, speaks to supporters during the Health-Care-A-Van rally on Lackawanna Avenue in Scranton Thursday, August 27, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Maureen May, president of PASNAP, speaks during the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019 protest...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes-tribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CVC-L-CAREAVAN-0828-6.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Maureen May, president of PASNAP, speaks during the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019 protest outside the Highmark building in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"An attendee takes a photo during the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019 protest outside...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes-tribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CVC-L-CAREAVAN-0828-7.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>An attendee takes a photo during the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019 protest outside the Highmark building in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"One of the decorated cars taking part in the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes-tribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CVC-L-CAREAVAN-0828-8.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>One of the decorated cars taking part in the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019 protest in front of the old Highmark building in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Andrew Fagan, of Philadelphia, transports the ice sculpture of a...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes-tribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CVC-L-CAREAVAN-0828-1.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Andrew Fagan, of Philadelphia, transports the ice sculpture of a heart during the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019 protest outside the Highmark building in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The crowd chants during the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019 protest outside the Highmark...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes-tribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CVC-L-CAREAVAN-0828-3.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The crowd chants during the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019 protest outside the Highmark building in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Many signs were on display during the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019 protest outside...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes-tribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CVC-L-CAREAVAN-0828-2.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Many signs were on display during the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019 protest outside the Highmark building in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Aaron Troisi speaks during the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019 protest outside the Highmark...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes-tribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CVC-L-CAREAVAN-0828-5.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Aaron Troisi speaks during the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019 protest outside the Highmark building in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A crowd forms during the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019 protest in front of...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes-tribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CVC-L-CAREAVAN-0828-10.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A crowd forms during the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019 protest in front of the Highmark building in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A crowd forms during the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019 protest in front of...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes-tribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CVC-L-CAREAVAN-0828-9.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A crowd forms during the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019 protest in front of the Highmark building in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Aaron Troisi speaks in front of an ice sculpture of...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes-tribune.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CVC-L-CAREAVAN-0828-4.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Aaron Troisi speaks in front of an ice sculpture of a heart, saying the phrase, \u2018Warm your hearts, freeze our costs,\u2019 during the \u2018Care-A-Van\u2019 protest outside the Highmark building in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n<p>Show Caption<\/p>\n<p>1 of 14<\/p>\n<p>Nursing home activities assistant Lori Obaroski, of Taylor, speaks to supporters, coalition leaders and health care union members at the Health-Care-A-Van rally on Lackawanna Avenue in Scranton Thursday, August 27, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#\" class=\"icon-enlarge mng-gallery-fullscreen-expand\" aria-label=\"Expand fullscreen slideshow\">Expand<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A coalition of advocates for health care reform traveled from Scranton to Wilkes-Barre to Hazleton on Thursday in&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":273440,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[182,139,178,180,179,181],"class_list":["post-273439","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-scranton","tag-local-news","tag-news","tag-scranton","tag-scranton-headlines","tag-scranton-news","tag-top-stories-stt"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/273439","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=273439"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/273439\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/273440"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=273439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=273439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=273439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}