Upcoming events, changes to Medicaid and more inside

Rep. Ed Neilson October 9, 2026 | 4:39 PM

Legislative Update

We’re protecting kids by increasing penalties for retailers who illegally sell vaping products to minors (HB 1434) and requiring the state?to test baby food manufactured in PA for the presence of toxic heavy metals (HB 507).

PA House Dems are always working for you!

Become a Crossing Guard

School crossing guards promote the safety of students walking to and from schools that serve grades K–5. They contribute to the success of Philadelphia students and are important to school communities.

Click here for more information.

Hiring for crossing guards takes place throughout the year. Available positions will appear on the City’s jobs board.

My office will be closed on Monday Oct. 12 for the federal holiday. PennDOT driver’s license centers will close on Saturday, Oct. 10 through Monday, Oct. 12.

Turning the Capitol Fountain Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

Early screening and detection are the key to catching breast cancer early.

The American Cancer Society recommends optional annual mammograms starting at age 40 to 44, recommended annual mammograms from age 45 to 54, and switching to every 2 years (or continuing yearly) at age 55 and older as long as you are in good health.

See below for a free screening program from the PA Dept. of Health:

Free State-Funded Screening Programs

PA Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (PA-BCCEDP): It covers free screening mammograms, MRIs, and follow-up diagnostic tests.

Important Voting Information

Remember, elections happen more than just every four years – and each vote is a chance to shape the future you want to see.

Some key dates to keep in mind for 2026:

LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE: October 19

LAST DAY TO APPLY FOR MAIL-IN BALLOT OR ABSENTEE BALLOT: October 27

Apply for a mail-in ballot here

GENERAL ELECTION DATE: November 3; polls are open for in-person voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Click here to find your polling place.

If you plan to vote by mail but get too close to Election Day to mail your completed ballot, the city has several secure ballot drop boxes and satellite election offices available to ensure your vote is counted.

Just remember to get your completed ballot there by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Find your local drop box here.

Here is a list of Satellite Offices around the city.

PA college students: Not sure where to vote this fall? You can register at your campus address or your home address. Learn more: vote.pa.gov/College

Fun with Financial Literacy

In recognition of October being Financial Planning Month, PA Auditor General Tim DeFoor invites students in grades K-12 to design the cover of the department’s newest financial literacy activity book.

Beware of Upcoming Changes to Medicaid

Changes are coming to Medicaid – also known as Medical Assistance in Pennsylvania – beginning next year.

On Jan. 1, certain adults ages 19-64 will need to meet a work or community engagement requirement, or qualify for an exemption. The requirement generally means 80 hours per month of work, education, job training, volunteering or a combination of those activities. Adults with a dependent child under age 14 are exempt, along with several other groups.

Some adults will also begin renewing their Medicaid eligibility every six months instead of once per year. Current recipients will not automatically lose coverage on Jan. 1, as the changes will generally be addressed as individuals go through their 2027 renewals.

These work requirements do not apply to children enrolled in Medicaid and they do not apply to Medicare.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services will contact people who are affected. I’ll continue sharing information as implementation nears, but here are some tips to stay ready:

Update your address in COMPASS at dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS or the myCOMPASS PA app.
Update your address with the U.S. Postal Service at USPS.com/move.
Sign up for texts and email alerts from DHS at dhs.pa.gov/text.
Open any mail from PA DHS right away.

Save the Dates

Rep. Neilson's Traffic Alerts

Shoulder Repair Closes Interstate 95 North Ramp to Linden Avenue Weekdays in Philadelphia

Monday, October 12, through Friday, October 23, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, the ramp from I-95 to Linden Avenue will be closed and detoured on weekdays. During the closure, drivers will be directed to exit at Academy Road and Linden Avenue, use the left lane to Academy Road, and turn left onto Torresdale Avenue to access Linden Avenue.

I-95 Reconstruction to Restrict Surface Streets in Northeast Philadelphia

From 9:00 PM Friday, October 9, to 5:00 AM Monday, October 12, the ramp from Castor Avenue to I-95 North will be closed for bridge demolition. Drivers on Castor Avenue will be directed to north on Aramingo Avenue and left on Adams Avenue to the I-95 North on-ramp at the Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange. Drivers on Delaware Avenue will be directed east on E. Venango Street, right on Balfour Avenue, left on Castor Avenue, and then follow the above directions to the Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange.
Monday, October 12, through Friday, October 16, from 9:00 PM until 5:00 AM the following morning, Castor Avenue, including the ramp to I-95 North, will be closed between Richmond Street and Delaware Avenue for I-95 bridge demolition. Drivers will be detoured on Delaware Avenue, Venango Street, and Richmond Street around the closure.
Monday, October 12, through Friday, October 16, from 9:00 PM until 5:00 AM the following morning, Venango Street will be closed between Allen Street and Bath Street for I-95 bridge demolition. Drivers will follow a posted detour around the closure.
Monday, October 12, through Friday, October 16, from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM, alternating eastbound and westbound lane closure will be in place on Wheatsheaf Lane between Thompson Street and Richmond Street.

Market Street Construction to Close I-76 This Weekend, at Night Next Week

Walnut Street to be reduced to a single lane at night next week over the Schuylkill River

From 9:00 PM Friday, October 9, to 5:00 AM Monday, October 12, I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) will be closed in both directions between the I-676 and 30th Street interchanges.

Monday, October 12, through Thursday October 15, from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning, Walnut Street will be reduced to one lane between 24th Street and Schuylkill Avenue.

During the closure, eastbound I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) drivers will be directed to exit at Arch Street/30th Street, turn left onto Chestnut Street, and turn right onto Schuylkill Avenue to access the ramp to I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) at Walnut Street.

Westbound I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) drivers will exit at Walnut Street and follow Schuylkill Avenue to access the ramps to I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) and I-676.

During this weekend’s closure, the current traffic pattern on the University Avenue Bridge over the Schuylkill River will be temporarily lifted to allow two lanes of traffic in both directions through Monday morning, October 12.

New Traffic Pattern Setup on I-95 Reconstruction at Allegheny in Philadelphia

New northbound work zone pattern expected to be fully in place by October 10

Monday, October 5, through Thursday, October 8, from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning, the ramp from Castor Avenue to northbound I-95 will be closed and detoured. Drivers on Castor Avenue will be directed north on Aramingo Avenue and left on Adams Avenue to access the northbound I-95 on-ramp at the Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange. Drivers on Delaware Avenue will be directed east on Venango Street, right on Balfour Avenue, left on Castor Avenue, north on Aramingo Avenue and left on Adams Avenue to access the northbound I-95 on-ramp at the Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange.
Monday, October 5, through Friday, October 9, from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning, lane closures will be in place on northbound and southbound I-95 between the Betsy Ross Bridge and Allegheny Avenue interchanges.
From 9:00 PM Friday, October 9, to 5:00 AM Monday, October 12, Venango Street will be closed and detoured between Richmond Street and Balfour Street for overhead bridge demolition. Drivers will be detoured to Richmond Street, Castor Avenue, and Balfour Street around the closure.