PA-15 Candidates Spar Over Medicaid Cuts, Rural Hospital Relief
In a News Lab at Penn State voter guide, Democrat Ray Bilger and Republican incumbent Glenn Thompson lay out contrasting responses to federal Medicaid funding cuts and expiring ACA subsidies affecting Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District. Bilger calls for restoring cut funding as a stopgap toward a universal healthcare model with a private option, and proposes new birthing centers and a bill forcing insurers to divest from non-healthcare business lines. Thompson points to legislation he has introduced, including the CHC REBASE Act on FQHC Medicare payment, the Sustaining Rural Healthcare Act creating a new Critical Access Hospital designation, and the HEALTH Act on telehealth reimbursement, and cites his work with CMS to secure Critical Access Hospital status for Warren General Hospital. Both candidates also address rural healthcare workforce shortages, with Thompson citing a bill directing HHS guidance to states on growing the Medicaid and CHIP behavioral health workforce.