Democrats criticize Trump’s affordability crisis ahead of Monroe County visit
3:16 p.m.: Lieutenant Gov. Austin Davis on Tuesday said Trump “refuses to see how Pennsylvanians are struggling.”
His remarks came during a Zoom press call hosted by Defend America Action, an anti-Trump political organization, ahead of this evening's presidential speech.
Davis said Trump’s policies force everyday Pennsylvanians to rely on ‘buy now, pay later’ services, forgo costly medical treatments and worry whether they can afford to heat their homes.
“He thinks that what Americans are going through is just a ‘con job’,” Davis said during Tuesday’s call.
“The affordability crisis is real … Trump’s visit to Pennsylvania will not distract Pennsylvanians,” Davis said.
He also attacked Trump’s tariffs against other countries and said they have cost Pennsylvanians $1.6 billion this year.
But most of Davis’ critiques and the call hinged around Trump’s policies against the Affordable Care Act, which was instated under Barack Obama’s presidency. Davis said Trump’s cuts to Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), also known as food stamps, will lead to hospital closures and endangers rural Pennsylvanians’ lives.
Davis said Pennsylvania has increased funding for local areas on aging, and other medical investments, but that state lawmakers and officials cannot mitigate Trump’s damage to Pennsylvania's healthcare system.
State Rep. and Democratic Whip Mike Schlossberg (D-Lehigh) said Trump’s decision to cut more than a trillion dollars from the Affordable Care Act “hurts the most vulnerable” Pennsylvanians.
He said his district represents about 65,000 people and he sees some constituents have to choose between purchasing healthcare insurance and groceries because of Trump’s policies.
“Pennsylvanians aren’t stupid. My constituents are not stupid — they understand when you kick off 300,000 people from SNAP [it will be more expensive for everyone,]” Schlossberg said.
State Rep. Arvind Venkat (D-Allegheny) is an emergency physician and said he is the only doctor currently serving in the state legislature. He said he has heard from his constituents that if their ACA premiums double in 2026, they will not be able to afford medical care. He also criticized Trump’s policies towards farmers and the $12 billion “bail-out” Trump announced yesterday.
Venkat also was critical of Trump’s ICE policies and said Trump is “deporting every immigrant [he] can find.”
“[That is] something I take personally as the only immigrant and naturalized citizen in our state legislature,” Venkat said.
One non-politician also spoke during Tuesday’s call.
Nurse and healthcare advocate Jennifer Partyka said Medicaid cuts will lead to further hospital closures around the state.
“Can you imagine Pennsylvania with less hospitals?” She stressed that Medicaid is one of the top five payers for hospitals around the country.
She said one of her sons was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 26, which means he cannot rely on her health insurance for life-saving medical treatment. He will need chemotherapy every eight weeks for the rest of his life.
Partyka said claims that people on Medicaid are just ‘using the system’ are not in line with reality.
“My son, like so many people on Medicaid, works 40 hours a week … They are your friends and your patients. Many people on medicaid are hard working people who simply do not get health insurance from their jobs,” Partyka said.
— Isabela Weiss
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Countdown to Trump's visit
2:45 p.m.: We are less than four hours away from President Donald Trump's scheduled visit to Mount Airy Casino Resort in Monroe County, where he is expected to discuss his administration's efforts to address a top concern for voters: affordability.
Traffic is expected to be delayed on many roads around the region leading up to the 6 p.m. speech, including interstates 81, 84 and 380 and on local roads surrounding the casino in Paradise Township.
While supporters are expected to attend the speech, those opposed to the president's message and policies have been speaking out and are expected to hold demonstrations this afternoon.
Follow this story for live updates throughout the day and evening, as well as on WVIA FM.
— Roger DuPuis
