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As Pennsylvanians, we all share a stake in preserving access to health care across our Commonwealth. Deep cuts to Medicaid scheduled for 2026 and 2027 would imperil that access -- especially for rural hospitals and vulnerable communities that already operate with razor-thin margins.
Hospitals across Pennsylvania have been forced to reduce or eliminate maternity services in recent years. Four rural labor and delivery units have closed since 2020, and today only about 38% of rural hospitals retain obstetric services. The crisis of disappearing maternity care is not isolated -- it's statewide and growing.
Medicaid plays a vital role in Pennsylvania's health care system. As of mid-2024, more than 3.1 million Pennsylvanians were enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, covering roughly 21% of our population. Since Medicaid expansion in 2015, over 750,000 residents have gained coverage.
These programs ensure that seniors, children and working families receive essential care without falling into financial hardship.
When Medicaid reimbursement is reduced or enrollment becomes unstable, rural hospitals face impossible decisions -- cutting services like emergency or specialty care, reducing staff, or even closing altogether. Medicaid cuts would not only endanger access to care but also weaken local economies and increase costs for everyone.
I urge policymakers to protect Medicaid funding and ensure that Pennsylvania's hospitals -- especially those serving rural communities -- remain open and able to care for all residents, not just those near urban centers.
Lori Sidelinger
Schellsburg