Hello Neighbor,

In our newsletter, you will find legislative information and updates from Upper Moreland, Lower Moreland, Bryn Athyn, Hatboro, and Abington, along with information about state-related programs and services.

We have some exciting events coming up around the district, so be sure to stay informed through my newsletter and social media. As always, feel free to call our office at 215-259-5962 for help with state services or send me an email at RepGuenst@pahouse.net.

Follow me on social media for daily updates:

Instagram- @repguenst

Facebook- Rep. Nancy Guenst 

Proposed 2026 Health Insurance Rate Updates

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department announced that the 2026 rate changes requested by insurance companies currently operating in Pennsylvania’s individual and small group markets are now available online.

On average, all Pennsylvania health insurers are requesting premium increases in plan year 2026: 19% increase to premiums in the individual market (for people who buy their own insurance), and a 13% increase to premiums in the small group market (for small businesses).

The requested rate increases for Plan Year 2026 as filed by insurers are results of:

-The rising cost of health care;

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-The higher use of benefits, including for more expensive outpatient services and medication and;

-The end of the Federal Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (Tax Credits), which are set to expire on December 31, 2025, unless the United States Congress acts to extend them. 

Public comment on rate requests and filings will be accepted through September 2, 2025, and can be emailed to ra-in-comment@pa.gov.

Mitzvah Circle Donations Needed

Mitzvah Circle, a Montgomery County nonprofit that partners with hundreds of schools, charities, faith groups, agencies, organizations and individuals to provide relief to families in crisis throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, suffered a fire last week. Damage was sustained to a significant number of donations that were set to be distributed throughout the region. Members of the PA House and PA Senate have offered to be donation drop-off points for the most immediate needs to be replenished:

- Sneakers, all sizes, women's, men's and children's (can be new or gently used)

- Women's, men's, and boys' underwear (new)

- Toiletries (new)

- Baby items (new)

My office will be a drop-off location over the next few weeks. Please feel free to drop donations to our office - 19 S. York Road, Hatboro - during our regular business hours.

To read more about the fire and other ways you can help:

Community urged to help Mitzvah Circle replace clothing, diapers, baby gear lost in trailer fire - North Penn Now

Our Amazing Summer Interns

We were so lucky this Summer to have such wonderful interns. A heartfelt thank you to Taylor, Lawson, and Yuki. They are all such talented young individuals, and they each have a bright future ahead of them. Taylor just recently graduated from the Public Administration Master’s Program at West Chester University, Lawson will be returning to the University of Pennsylvania where he is studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, and Yuki will be a Junior at Lower Moreland High School.

I have thoroughly enjoyed having them help in the office this Summer and appreciate all their hard work! I wish them the best in their future endeavors and welcome them back to our office any time they are in town.

Tour of Pretzel Pete Snacks Facility in Hatboro

My staffer Laura and two of our interns, Lawson and Yuki, visited the Pretzel Pete factory in Hatboro, PA - Upper Moreland Township. They met with the owner, Karl Brown, and he walked them through the entire pretzel making/seasoning process.

Pretzel Pete's snacks are exported to over 85 countries across the globe! With several yummy flavors to choose from, there is something for everyone! Pretzel Pete employs 70 workers - working around the clock to keep the pretzels going.
 

Thank you so much to Karl, for letting my staff come and tour the production and packaging facility.

Montco Forever Green  - Open Space Grant Program

The Montgomery County Planning Commission is excited to announce Montgomery County’s new open space grant program, Montco Forever Green, which is set to launch on September 1, 2025.

This program is focused on preserving open space in Montgomery County in perpetuity. 

-Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

-Eligible applicants include the county’s 62 municipalities and nonprofit land conservation organizations.

-Projects may include fee title or conservation easement acquisitions of any open land in the county. The projects may be of any size and in any setting from rural to urban.

-The maximum grant award is $500,000.

-A minimum match of 25 percent of the grant award is required.

More information, including the program’s guidebook, is available at www.montgomerycountypa.gov/MontcoForeverGreen.

Family Fall Fair

Mark your calendars and join us for our first ever Family Fall Fair! We are so excited to host this exciting event for residents and families in our district. There will be fun children’s activities and games, vendors, local resources, snacks, crafts, and more!

We hope that you will join us on October 4th from 2pm-4pm in the field behind Upper Moreland Middle School - 4000 Orangemans Road, Hatboro, PA 19040.

Fall Shredding Event

Join us for our free shredding event — a fantastic opportunity to protect your personal information while making a positive impact on your community!

Safely dispose of old documents and keep your sensitive information out of the wrong hands. Paper shredding is a powerful deterrent to identity theft, making it nearly impossible for thieves to reconstruct private details. Plus, shredding supports paper recycling, helping to reduce waste in landfills! 

And here’s another way to give back — bring non-perishable food items for donation and support local food banks while you’re there. 

We’re thrilled to offer this service once again for our constituents. Protect your identity, reduce waste, and help your community — all in one event! 

Veterans Expo

Mark your calendars and join me, Rep. Brian Munroe, and Rep. Melissa Cerrato at our Veterans Expo on Friday, September 19th from 11am-2pm! This event is for veterans and will be held at the VE Club - 130 Davisville Road in Warminster. 

There will be several veteran-related vendors to help with support and resources as well as VA representatives. A free lunch will be served to all of those in attendance.

Registration is required so please call Rep. Munroe’s office at 215-323-6997 to register today. You can also register by scanning the QR code below or clicking the following link:

https://www.pahouse.net/munroe/RSVP/?id=1733.

If you're a veteran, this is one event you won’t want to miss! I hope to see you there!

Veterans Service Hours

We are proud to offer Veterans Service Hours every second Thursday to assist veterans with a variety of issues – including but not limited to Compensation and Pension Claims, Education Benefits, State Benefits, and Burial and Survivor Benefits.

A department service officer will be on site. Reach out to our office at 215-259-5962 to make a one-hour appointment. Call to make your appointment today!