846 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510
Tel: 570-342-1047
Concerns about cuts to Medicaid continue after Budget Resolution passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025
The House passed a sweeping budget resolution plan that would require at least $1.5 trillion in spending over ten years by a vote of 217 to 215. This is the first step in a long process to cut federal spending, with many more votes to come.
The plan, if passed, would require the Energy & Commerce committee that oversees Medicaid to find $880 billion in savings.
NAMI is deeply concerned about how this can be achieved without a significant threat to Medicaid.
We are encouraged, however, because as all of the House members keep telling us, this is just the first step in the process---- the House and the Senate must produce identical bills to create the final budget and, right now, there is no agreement between the House & the Senate. The house wants ‘1 Big Beautiful Bill’ and Senate wants 2 bills… let’s take this opportunity to once again reach out to our legislators to let them know how important Medicaid is to us!
NAMI is advocating that there be NO CUTS and I’d like to invite to join us in our advocacy! We have identified a few ways you could become involved:
Option1: NAMI has partnered with Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN) on their Medicaid Defender effort. PHAN seeks to create an organized effort of outreach to local legislative district offices.
Participating in this effort involves a short conversation with Robin Stelly of PHAN about the effort and being added to a schedule of calls to the Congressman's office.
Please click HERE to Be a Medicaid Defender
Participants will only be asked to call once but the plan is that the calls be spread out over the next few weeks/months as the House is working out the actual budget details.
Option 2: Another option is to complete this QUESTIONNAIRE
This questionnaire will be used to create a document to share with our legislators that tells the story of the importance of Medicaid for individuals in our community.
Whatever you chose to do you will be a part of a statewide effort to influence and educate our legislators on this issue, to remind them that this is not about numbers, it is about people!
Thank you for your continued support for NAMI and the issues most important to our mission!
Marie Onukiavage
Executive Director
Click Here to Learn About the NAMI Community Education & Training Programs That are Available Now
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Click Here to learn about our next big event- The Hawley Spring Run!
Meet New Staff Member Hannah Johnson
Outside of her position as Community Awareness and Volunteer Coordinator, Hannah Johnson has her own mindfulness business and works as a café manager.
She has always been passionate about our connection with ourselves, one another, and our environment. After receiving her Master’s in Restorative Practices in 2022, she created "Balance," where she currently teaches yoga and meditation to help people improve their mental and physical health.
When she isn’t working with others or attending a Lenape language class, Hannah loves to cook, be with friends, spend time in nature, and make pottery.
Welcome Hannah! We're so excited to have you working with us and within our community.
Would You Like to Change Lives? Volunteer!
How would you like to help NAMI?
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What skills, talents, experience do you have that can be used to help individuals living with mental illness?
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You can lead a support group or training program; you can represent NAMI at a community event.
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Help raise funds for NAMI or advocate for mental health.
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There are a variety of ways you can help us so that we can help improve the lives of those living with mental illness and their families.
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Find support for yourself, your family through NAMI.
Supporting Recovery
When someone in your family has a mental health condition, your support makes a big difference. However, it may be hard for you to know what to say or do. It can be especially difficult to balance caring for your own health with encouraging others to be responsible for their actions. We can help you.
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Training & Education
NAMI offers education and training programs throughout the year including the Family-to-Family and Peer-to-Peer education programs, Family and Friends, and Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid.