Access to Care

Policy Committee    February 11, 2026

SCRANTON, Feb. 11 – Pennsylvania’s health care system is facing growing strain, putting the future of many community hospitals at risk, according to testimony at a House Majority Policy Committee hearing hosted by Reps. Bridget Kosierowski, Kyle Myllins and Kyle Donahue at the University of Scranton. Rising costs, workforce shortages, and the impending expiration of federal Affordable Care Act tax credits could leave more workers and families uninsured, further destabilizing local hospitals and the state’s economy. 

• Host: Reps. Bridget Kosierowski, Kyle Mullins, Kyle Donahue (D-Lackawanna)
• Testifiers:
  • Dr. Patrick Conaboy, MD- Chief Medical Officer, Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital & Moses Taylor Hospital
  • Maria Montoro-Edwards, Phd- President & CEO, Maternal and Family Health Services
  • Jill Avery-Stoss, MBA- President & CEO, The Institute
  • Jennifer Huber- RN, Geisinger Community Medical Center, PASNAP
  • Sue Wiggins- Medical Laboratory Technologist, Service Employees International Union

Agenda + Testimony

• Hearing agenda and testimony: Access to Care

Media Release + News Coverage

• Lawmakers examine threats to community hospitals, February 11, 2026
• The Times-Tribune, Health care workforce ‘crisis,’ fiscal challenges focus of Scranton hearing, February 11, 2026

Video + Photos

• Click here to view the entire hearing
• Click here to view photos of the hearing