Dear Neighbor,

Ensuring that Pennsylvanians have accessible, affordable health care remains continues to be one of my top priorities in Congress.

This year, I'm proud to champion my legislation, the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, which has more than 300 co-sponsors and is overwhelmingly supported by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Below, I have detailed how that bill will help Pennsylvania seniors.

I've also outlined local hospitals that have received funding as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts. Across the commonwealth, more than $42 million has been distributed to rural hospitals and healthcare providers thanks to this legislation. These facilities are the backbones of our local communities.

How the "Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act" Helps Pennsylvanians Enrolled in Medicare Advantage

Health care should be centered on patients, not bureaucracy.

My popular bipartisan legislation, the "Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act," modernizes the Medicare Advantage (MA) prior authorization process to put people over paperwork, reduce wait times, and to establish an electronic prior authorization process. Prior authorization is a tool used by health plans to reduce unnecessary care by requiring health care providers to get pre-approval for medical services.

With more than 300 House co-sponsors, my bill already has a bipartisan supermajority. My legislation would also increase transparency around Medicare Advantage prior authorization and more life-saving measures.

More than 35 million Americans, including 1.5 million Pennsylvanians, are enrolled in MA and face these challenges. By passing this bipartisan legislation, we can make it much easier for seniors to receive the care they’re entitled to while also alleviating unnecessary burdens on physicians and hospitals. 

READ MORE: In July, I published an op-ed in RealClearPennsylvania to explain more about this must-pass legislation.

VIDEO: I speak with Erie ophthalmologist Dr. Robert Haverly about the real-world impact of prior authorization on local patients in our "Congress in the Community" series -- check it out on my YouTube channel in the link above.

The Working Families Tax Cuts Supports Rural Healthcare

In 2025, I voted for the Working Families Tax Cuts. Not only did this law cut taxes and prevent a massive tax hike, but it also invested billions of dollars in rural health care across the United States. Today, we are seeing the results.

Key wins include:

• Creates the $50 billion five-year Rural Health Transformation Program; Pennsylvania is receiving $193 million this year
• Increases 2026 Medicare payments to health care providers
• Repeals nurse staffing rule that threatened to close rural nursing home services
• Increases access to zero-deductible telehealth services
• Increases access to Health Savings Accounts

What does this mean for our area?

The Rural Health Transformation Program includes funding for care across Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District. Among the projects that have received funding through the program to date, include:

• $1 million -- Corry Memorial Hospital, Erie County
• $997,900 -- Meadville Medical Center, Crawford County
• $620,500 -- Quality Life Services - Mercer County
• $548,200 -- Corry Counseling of LECOM Health facility, Erie County
• $415,232 -- Center for Behavioral Health-PA in Cranberry Township, Butler County
• $321,945 -- New Castle Comprehensive Treatment Center, Lawrence County
• $220,870 -- Farrell Comprehensive Treatment Center, Mercer County
• $122,704 -- LIFE Butler County, Butler County
• $122,704 -- LIFE Lawrence County, Lawrence County

In August, the Trump administration announced that an additional $35 million for Pennsylvanians has been made possible through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. The funding would improve health outcomes among rural Pennsylvanians by updating to new, more modern screening technology, buying equipment to bring additional operating rooms online, and expanding transportation options. Learn more here.

Combatting Medicare Fraud to Put Taxpayers First

Did you know Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse are costing American taxpayers more than $60 billion per year? It's a staggering number that deserves serious attention.

That's why I have called for greater oversight of the Medicare program and questioned what fraud-prevention methods Medicare Advantage plans could use that the government is not deploying in traditional Medicare.

Medicare fraud doesn't impact just Republicans or Democrats. It impacts every American.

I remain committed to cracking down on Medicare fraud to ensure Pennsylvanians aren't left holding the bag.

You can watch my remarks on Medicare fraud during a Ways & Means Committee hearing in April in the YouTube link above.

As always, my team and I are here to serve you. If you need assistance with a federal agency, please contact us -- we are just one call or email away.

God Bless America!

Sincerely,

Mike Kelly
Member of Congress

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