Rally in Scranton urges NEPA lawmakers to keep health care affordable

SCRANTON — As a small-business owner, Michelle Rothenbecker has relied on the federal Health Insurance Marketplace for her family’s health care insurance.

She fears she will pay more if lawmakers don’t come to an agreement to extend tax credits that allow people like her to afford health insurance.

The Bear Creek Twp. resident was one of around 10 people who rallied outside the downtown offices of Republican U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick and U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-8, Dallas Twp., Monday afternoon urging them to extend the credit and preserve federal health care programs like Medicaid. Many of them carried signs in support of preserving health care coverage.

Lawmakers are debating how to extend tax credits that help people pay premiums for privately bought health insurance. Democrats are threatening to vote to shut down the government at the end of the month if Republicans don’t extend the subsidies, which were first put in place in 2021 and extended a year later when they controlled Congress and the White House, according to the Associated Press.

Republicans are divided on extending the credit, with many opposed and some open to keeping them, as many of their constituents could see steep hikes in coverage if the subsidies are allowed to lapse.

Anthony Gratter, a local organizer for Affordable Pennsylvania, said 150,000 people in the state could lose insurance and there would be an 82% increase in costs for premiums if the tax credits expire.

Rothenbecker, chief of staff for Action Together NEPA, said the potential end to tax credit means she and her husband, a freelance graphic designer, could pay higher costs on health insurance. She estimates they pay $900 a month in premiums and anticipates paying double that amount if Congress votes to end the tax credits.

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Protesters walk to Congressman Rob Bresnahan’s office in Scranton on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Affordable Pennsylvania regional organizer Anthony Gratter speaks to protesters gathered outside of Congressman Rob Bresnahan’s office in Scranton on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Protesters gather outside of Congressman Rob Bresnahan’s office in Scranton to express their concern about the looming government shut down and about the future of affordable health care on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Protesters walk to Congressman Rob Bresnahan’s office in Scranton on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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“If we can continue to purchase the coverage, the increase likely means choosing lesser coverage, paying more out of pocket and living in fear that one unforeseen emergency could plunge us into medical debt,” she said.

Gratter shared stories from other people who would be affected if the tax credit ended, including from those who would have to pay more in premiums or would have to cancel their health insurance because of the potential high cost.

Other speakers talked about how cuts to programs like Medicaid hurt people, including those in the 8th Congressional District.

“We need a budget that reverses the devastating cuts to Medicaid and permanently extends the enhanced tax credits because health care isn’t a privilege for the wealthy, it’s actually a right for every family living in this country,” said Scranton resident Dwayne Heisler, campaign director for the Pennsylvania Policy Center.

Rally organizers urged those in attendance to reach out to lawmakers to keep the tax credits in place.

Hannah Pope, spokeswoman for Bresnahan, responded to the rally in a statement Monday afternoon, saying in part, “Rob fights every day to improve healthcare for his constituents, from advocating to House Leadership to extend ACA tax credits to guaranteeing local hospitals will see benefits from the Rural Transformation Health Fund to working with State Rep. (Bridget) Kosierowski and Governor (Josh) Shapiro’s team to maintain the region’s hospitals. He will continue to fight to improve healthcare, but he will not side with far-left Democrats who want to shut down the federal government just to pitch a fit. Rep. Bresnahan will not jeopardize paychecks for our troops overseas, our law enforcement, or our Social Security offices, but apparently the far-left would, and it’s shameful.”

Efforts to reach McCormick’s office for comment were unsuccessful.

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