This Week's Budget Update: Investing in Healthcare and Helping Families

Rep. Melissa Cerrato August 14, 2026

Dear Friends,

Over the past few weeks, I've been breaking down what is included in this year's state budget and what it means for our community. This week, I want to highlight several investments focused on improving access to health care, protecting important benefits, and helping working families manage the rising cost of everyday life.

Expanding Access to Healthcare and Mental Health Services

Every Pennsylvanian deserves access to quality health care, no matter where they live or how much they earn. This year's budget is making important investments to strengthen our healthcare system and ensure more people can get the care they need.

The budget increases funding for Medical Assistance Managed Care by 7 percent, bringing total funding to $9.4 billion. It also expands services for Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities, strengthens health coverage for children, and, for the first time, provides dedicated state funding for Pennsylvania's 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

When someone reaches out for help during a mental health crisis, every second matters. This funding will help ensure trained professionals are there to answer the call. The budget also invests in crisis stabilization centers, giving people experiencing mental health emergencies a safe place to receive care while helping first responders connect individuals with the support they need. These investments will focus on communities where access to immediate mental health care is limited.

The budget also restores and increases funding for rape crisis centers across Pennsylvania. These centers provide counseling, advocacy, legal assistance, and other critical services to approximately 26,000 survivors each year, including thousands of children. After last year's budget delays forced many programs to reduce services and lay off staff, this funding will help ensure survivors continue to receive the care and support they deserve.

Supporting our health care workforce is another priority. The budget invests $2.5 million to expand Pennsylvania's Nurse Shortage Assistance Program. Through partnerships between nursing schools and hospitals, the program helps recruit and train future nurses while providing assistance with student loan repayment as they begin their careers.

In addition, the budget includes funding to reduce tuition costs for students pursuing optometry degrees, helping make careers in eye care more affordable while addressing another important workforce shortage.

Protecting Families from Benefit Theft

No family should lose the food assistance they depend on because of criminal activity.

Unfortunately, scammers have increasingly targeted SNAP recipients by stealing benefits through card skimming. In 2024 alone, nearly $16 million in SNAP benefits were stolen from Pennsylvanians.

To help stop this, the budget includes $7 million to replace outdated EBT cards with secure, chip-enabled cards that are much harder to copy or hack. This upgrade will better protect families while also allowing Pennsylvania to receive additional federal funding to help cover implementation costs.

Helping Families Stretch Their Budgets

With the cost of groceries, housing, utilities, and other necessities continuing to rise, this budget includes several measures aimed at putting more money back into the pockets of working families.

Nearly 950,000 working households will benefit from the Working Pennsylvanian Tax Credit, returning nearly $200 million to families across the Commonwealth.

The budget also takes steps to help manage future energy costs. As electricity demand continues to grow, large data centers will be required to publicly report their energy and water usage, improving transparency and planning. Utilities will also be encouraged to explore new technologies that can improve the efficiency of our electric grid, reduce congestion, and help keep long-term energy costs more affordable.

??Gratitude in Every Step! ????‍??

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the 8th Annual Jack Duffy 5K Power Run & 1M Walk such a meaningful success! ??

Events like this are about so much more than crossing a finish line. They are about coming together as a community, remembering a life that continues to make an impact, and reminding one another that no one should ever feel like they have to face their struggles alone.

Every stride taken, every person who showed up, and every dollar raised helps support the important work of the Jack Duffy Empowerment Foundation and its mission to promote suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and hope for those who may be struggling.

Jack’s legacy continues through every person who chooses kindness, checks in on someone they care about, offers a helping hand, or simply reminds someone that they matter.

Let’s keep Jack’s spirit alive by continuing to serve, help, empower, and look out for one another. ??

Kid Doodles Learning Center

I loved visiting Kid Doodles Learning Center in Ambler! It was a great opportunity to spend time with the teachers and administrators who work every day to create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for our youngest learners. I appreciated the chance to hear directly from them about the needs of our childcare community, the challenges providers and families continue to face, and the importance of making sure our early educators have the support and resources they deserve.

Quality childcare is so much more than a convenience for working families. It gives children a strong foundation during some of the most important years of their development, supports parents who are working to provide for their families, and helps keep our communities and economy moving.

And, without a doubt, the best part of my visit was getting to sit down and read with the sweetest group of children! Their excitement, curiosity, and enthusiasm for every page were absolutely contagious. Moments like these are a wonderful reminder of why investing in our children, our families, and the incredible people who care for them matters so much.

Upcoming Events

Join us for our upcoming Veterans Expo!

Rep. Nancy Guenst, Rep. Brian Munroe, and I are proud to invite local veterans and their families to a Veterans Expo!

This event is a great opportunity to connect directly with VA representatives, learn more about available support and resources, and get answers to questions about benefits and services. We will also be providing a free lunch at noon.

Registration is required. Please call 215-323-6997 to register by phone.

Our veterans have given so much in service to our country, and we are honored to help connect them with the resources, information, and support they deserve. We hope you will join us and help spread the word to the veterans in your life.

Join us for College Prep Night ??

Senator Maria Collett, Rep. Nancy Guenst, and I are excited to invite students and families to an upcoming College Prep Night.

Planning for college can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to figure it out alone. This event will share helpful information on the PA 529 Plan, financial aid, scholarships, FAFSA applications and deadlines, and finding the right fit for you.

Whether your student is just starting to think about college or getting ready to apply, this is a great opportunity to ask questions, learn about available resources, and feel more prepared for the road ahead.

Registration is encouraged. Please call Rep. Guenst’s office at 215-259-5962 or use the QR code on the flyer to register.

We hope to see you there!

?? It's time to clear out the clutter and protect your personal information!

Join State Senator Maria Collett and me for our Community Shredding Event on Saturday, September 19, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (or until the trucks are full).

?? Rose Twig Park at Windlestrae

1151 Kenas Rd.

North Wales, PA

Bring your old documents for safe, secure shredding. Please limit shredding items to three paper bags or small boxes per vehicle.

?? While you're there, consider helping a neighbor by bringing a nonperishable food donation to support our local food banks.

Please note that electronics cannot be accepted at this event.

We look forward to seeing you there and helping you safely dispose of sensitive documents while giving back to our community!