The new administration’s proposed spending cuts could threaten 1.3 million Pennsylvania children who are enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP and depend on these programs for access to check-ups, doctor-recommended screenings, vaccinations and much more. Maintaining federal funding for these programs means keeping children safe and healthy, including children with special health care needs, children living in families with lower incomes, and children living in or aging out of foster care. 

A recent report from Georgetown University shows that more than 3 million Pennsylvanians are enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP, and that rural adults and children rely on such programs just as much, if not more than, their urban counterparts. This is especially important given most of Pennsylvania’s counties are considered rural.  Pennsylvania ranks fifth highest in the country for the number of people living in small towns and rural areas. 

Any large cuts to Medicaid that are currently being considered would pose very serious threats to residents and their health care systems in rural communities that are already struggling. The Trump Administration has called for a funding freeze while programs are evaluated against administration priorities, a move now blocked by judicial order, which could potentially also cause confusion and disruption of needed health services and other programs such as SNAP and WIC.  

Find Medicaid and CHIP enrollment for PA children by legislative district and county.  

 

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TAKE ACTION 

Many Lutheran Social Ministry Organizations (SMO’s) and congregations would feel the effects of cuts to social service programs such as Medicaid and CHIP. LAMPa’s partners at Lutheran Services of America have an action alert for you to contact your congressional representatives and senators to oppose such cuts and caps to funding of programs for the most vulnerable in society.  

Because this LSA Advocacy Alert was shaped by LSA for its network, be sure to accurately represent yourself! Customize, including identifying yourself and why you’re reaching out to your elected official. 

“God continues to call the Church—its institutions and believers—to work in society for individual and collective actions that promote health and ensure care for those who suffer,” reads the ELCA social statement, Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor. 

 

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