Residents gathered at St. James United Church of Christ (UCC) Thursday night to speak with state lawmakers on rising medical costs, proposed AI data centers, immigration enforcement concerns, and the growing financial strain facing local families.
The forum, organized by POWER Interfaith, drew local residents and members of several area congregations, including Royersford Baptist Church, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Telford, and Trinity UCC in Collegeville. State representatives Joe Webster (150th District) and Joe Ciresi (146th District) spent about an hour responding to pre-selected questions on a wide range of topics.
Healthcare Cuts Loom Large
One of the evening’s most emotional exchanges came when a community member described her family’s struggles with insurance denials and the high costs associated with caring for a child with serious medical needs. She asked what Pennsylvania could do if federal Medicaid funding is reduced.
Webster warned the state would struggle to replace large-scale federal cuts on its own.
“If the federal government cuts $13 billion in Medicaid funding in Pennsylvania, we’re not going to be able to replace all that funding,” Webster said.
Ceresi said lawmakers are still waiting for clarity from Washington as budget negotiations continue.
“We’re playing a guessing game,” Ciresi said.
The representatives also discussed efforts to expand access to healthcare providers and reduce pressure on emergency rooms through better access to routine care.
Data Centers and Utility Costs
Another attendee raised concerns about the growth of AI data centers and whether residents will ultimately bear the cost of the electricity and water they consume.
Ciresi and Webster discussed proposals aimed at ensuring data centers cover their own utility demand, along with possible oversight related to water usage and local zoning.
The lawmakers also criticized what they described as resistance in the Pennsylvania Senate toward advancing legislation regulating AI and data centers. Ciresi encouraged residents to contact Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman directly rather than relying on form letters.
“We need you to contact Joe Pittman’s office,” Ceresi said. “Do not send a form letter.”
Webster also argued Pennsylvania could generate more revenue from its natural gas industry through an extraction tax structure similar to those used in other energy-producing states like West Virginia and Texas.
Immigration Enforcement Concerns Raised
A member of St. Paul’s congregation raised concerns about immigration enforcement activity in the region and asked what governments are doing to protect residents from what they described as unlawful tactics used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including racial profiling and entering homes without judicial warrants.
Webster discussed what he said was a recent incident in West Norriton in which ICE agents initially lacked a warrant before later returning with an administrative warrant and forcing entry into a home while children on a nearby school bus witnessed the scene.
“It was a disgusting display,” Ciresi said.
The lawmakers noted immigration enforcement is primarily a federal issue but pointed to proposals intended to limit cooperation between local police and ICE without judicial warrants. Ciresi also said some municipalities and school districts have discussed or adopted similar policies locally.
Caregiving Crisis Gets Personal
Another attendee shared her experience caring for a seriously ill family member while working full time, describing the financial and emotional toll caregiving placed on her family.
Survey data presented by POWER Interfaith showed that 55 percent of respondents are worried about affording aging care for themselves or loved ones, while nearly half said they had already served as caregivers for elderly or vulnerable family members.
Webster discussed a proposed public health insurance option and efforts aimed at retaining nurses and in-home healthcare workers. Ceresi also highlighted technology-assisted in-home care programs designed to help older adults remain independent longer.
Calls for Civic Engagement
The forum concluded with organizers encouraging attendees to stay politically engaged and continue advocating on issues discussed during the event.
POWER Interfaith announced a June 2 advocacy day in Harrisburg focused on education funding, revenue legislation, and corporate taxation reform, with transportation planned from the Royersford area.
Both legislators encouraged residents to contact lawmakers directly and remain active in the political process.
“If we tell you we need you to call, call,” Ciresi said. “We’re swimming upstream.”
POWER Interfaith is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not endorse political candidates or parties.
This article was generated with AI assistance. All content was reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by Taylor Mullin.
