Rep. Frankel gathers support for legislation to help patients navigate Medicaid amid new federal rules
Rep. Dan B. Frankel July 29, 2025 | 10:43 AM
HARRISBURG, July 29 – State Rep. Dan Frankel, D–Allegheny, announced plans today to introduce the “Protect Pennsylvanians’ Medicaid Access Act” to shield individuals from losing health coverage due to new federal Medicaid rules in the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Law.
“Pennsylvanians could have their health coverage cut off simply because they don’t have a computer, a steady internet connection or a stable home address,” Frankel said. “We cannot let that happen.”
Under the reconciliation law, states must impose work-reporting requirements, reduce retroactive coverage and conduct eligibility redeterminations twice a year. More than 300,000 working-age Pennsylvanians could lose Medicaid coverage because of these and other changes.
Frankel noted that when people lose insurance, they forego preventive care and end up in emergency rooms with conditions that are harder and more expensive to treat, driving up uncompensated care and threatening the financial stability of hospitals.
“Without state action, these Medicaid cuts mean more hospitals closing their doors, increased stress on our health care system, and lower quality care at a higher price for everyone -- not to mention a sicker population that is less able to work, volunteer and participate in their communities,” Frankel said.
Frankel is currently gathering support for his legislation, which would improve and fund state and community programs that help eligible patients navigate Medicaid requirements. Specifically, it would:
- Create a grant program that provides funding to certified community organizations—such as health centers, legal aid providers and social service agencies—to assist with Medicaid applications and perform outreach. These groups already help beneficiaries navigate complicated paperwork and will face overwhelming caseloads as new rules take effect.
- Require proactive outreach by the state Department of Human Services. DHS would be directed to develop clear, user-friendly materials explaining the new federal requirements and to share these tools with community organizations, enabling them to inform applicants and recipients about deadlines and exemptions.
- Streamline access to Medicaid systems so that community organizations can submit applications and documentation on behalf of clients quickly and efficiently.
The new Medicaid rules are set to take effect January 1, 2027.
“The clock is ticking to get effective protections in place and operating smoothly before Pennsylvanians start getting surprise letters revoking their coverage,” Frankel said. “It’s a looming crisis, and what we do now matters.”
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