Dear John,
My time in our District over the past two weeks has reminded me how much we accomplish when we roll up our sleeves and work together in our neighborhoods. From helping families build affordable homes to strengthening health care and opening new doors in education and opportunity, I’ve seen the power of partnership everywhere I’ve gone while I'm home — even during this difficult government shutdown.
|
I joined Habitat for Humanity of Chester County for the Carter Work Project Rural Rally and Build in West Grove — part of a national effort honoring President and Mrs. Carter’s legacy of service and spotlighting the urgent need for affordable housing in rural America. Since its founding in 1985, Habitat for Humanity of Chester County has helped provide homes for more than 700 local residents. In the past year, the organization completed the 84-home Cambria Terrace Community in Coatesville and finished Phase 4 of Fuller Meadows in West Grove — a neighborhood of four-bedroom townhomes which sold well below market value thanks to partnerships with the USDA and the Chester County Department of Community Development.
|
In my remarks to the group, I thanked the many volunteers and spoke about what this collaboration represents: when local, state, and federal partners come together, we turn empty lots into neighborhoods and hope into homes. Since 2021, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $1.6 billion in rural Pennsylvania housing programs — including over $130 million right here in Chester County. Those investments give families the foundation they need to build their futures.
We have long had a shortage of affordable housing, but it's heartening to get to see and be a part of working on this home, one visible and viable solution to the challenges we face.
|
I visited Main Line Health’s Paoli Hospital to meet with doctors and nurses who are caring for our community under extraordinary pressure. The ongoing shutdown has delayed reimbursements, increased administrative burdens, and created uncertainty for hospital operations — all while patients continue to rely on essential care provided here and at the other facilities in the MLH family.
More broadly, our nation faces a healthcare affordability crisis. Proposed funding cuts in the One Big Beautiful Budget Act puts more than 300 rural hospitals at risk of closing or reducing services. Those closures wouldn’t just affect hospital balance sheets — they would mean longer drives for emergency care, fewer maternity wards, and lost jobs in communities already stretched thin. When local hospitals struggle, patients and families pay the price.
|
At the same time, if Congress fails to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits, families across Pennsylvania could see premiums more than double on average. For a family of four earning around $90,000, that could mean paying $3,700 more per year.
These numbers aren’t abstract — they represent families here in Chester and Berks Counties who could lose coverage or delay care. As the shutdown continues, I’m focused on holding the line to protect health coverage and hospital funding that so many Pennsylvanians depend on. Extending Affordable Care Act tax credits and maintaining federal support for our hospitals are essential to keeping care affordable and available for everyone.
|
|
If you’re facing challenges with health insurance, Medicare, or hospital billing, please reach out — my team is ready to help.
|
When I met with Leah Reynolds of the West Chester Area Senior Center, Heidi Carlson from the Chester County Department of Aging, and other local leaders, we discussed how the shutdown is straining senior programs — delaying reimbursements and increasing uncertainty around service delivery. |
I told them what I’ll tell you: our senior center staff, meal delivery coordinators, transportation teams, and benefits counselors are the backbone of our aging support system. They’re doing heroic work under impossible conditions, and I’ll keep fighting for the funding and flexibility they need to serve older adults safely and effectively. |
At Copper Bonnet Distillery, a veteran-owned craft gin business in Chester County, I met with founders Will and Tara Lawver to learn how they’ve combined entrepreneurship, sustainability, and service. Copper Bonnet partners with Force Blue, a nonprofit that retrains retired combat divers to conduct coral reef restoration and marine life conservation.
A portion of every sale supports that mission — proof that service to country can continue long after active duty ends. |
|
Unfortunately, the federal government is still shut down. As you know, my Democratic colleagues and I are fighting to protect the health care and health insurance options for every American, but Speaker Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Thune have yet to sit down with us to negotiate. I had the opportunity to ask Mr. Johnson to do just that this week, and I hope he listens. Watch here.
The shutdown has exacerbated food insecurity everywhere, so my team has put together a list of local resources should you need help. Please click here to find assistance near you. |
The three things most people called or emailed my offices about this week are: - My conversation with Speaker Johnson on the Capitol steps
- The ongoing government shutdown
- SNAP and the Trump Administration's refusal to fund the program
|
Serving as our community’s representative in Congress is the honor and privilege of my lifetime and I hope you will reach out about the issues you care about.
As always, please contact my office if you need assistance.
Sincerely, |
Chrissy Houlahan U.S. Member of Congress
Were you forwarded this email? Sign up for my newsletter here.
Please share: if you find this newsletter valuable or interesting, please share it with friends and family and ask them to subscribe too.
Please note that replying to this email will not direct your message to the right place. To contact the Office of Representative Houlahan, please click here. |
|
