<div><br></div><div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwardedfyi, more advocating on the horizon!</div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr"> message ---------<br>From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Josie Badger</strong> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:josie@jbadgerconsultinginc.org">josie@jbadgerconsultinginc.org</a>></span><br>Date: Wed, Sep 24, 2025 at 3:48\u202fPM<br>Subject: Updated PA Needs Care Capitol Rallies Press Release (please share)<br>To: James Sawor <<a href="mailto:jsawor@thearcpa.org">jsawor@thearcpa.org</a>>, Chris Jacobs <<a href="mailto:cpostjacobs@gmail.com">cpostjacobs@gmail.com</a>>, <<a href="mailto:abby@thearclancleb.org">abby@thearclancleb.org</a>>, Preston Gaylor <<a href="mailto:prestongaylor21@gmail.com">prestongaylor21@gmail.com</a>>, Eileen Ellis <<a href="mailto:eme5036@gmail.com">eme5036@gmail.com</a>>, Julie Platt <<a href="mailto:jplatt@mhphope.org">jplatt@mhphope.org</a>>, Blake Emmanuel <<a href="mailto:bemmanuel@thefundcc.org">bemmanuel@thefundcc.org</a>>, <<a href="mailto:hallmanwhitney@gmail.com">hallmanwhitney@gmail.com</a>>, Shane Janick <<a href="mailto:sjanick@arcphiladelphia.org">sjanick@arcphiladelphia.org</a>>, <<a href="mailto:morganplant@mac.com">morganplant@mac.com</a>>, <<a href="mailto:mpagan@roadstf.org">mpagan@roadstf.org</a>><br>CC: Christie Cyktor <<a href="mailto:christie@jbadgerconsultinginc.org">christie@jbadgerconsultinginc.org</a>>, Everett Deibler <<a href="mailto:Everett@jbadgerconsultinginc.org">Everett@jbadgerconsultinginc.org</a>><br></div><br><br><div dir="ltr"><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:24pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">PRESS RELEASE</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Pennsylvanians Rally at State Capitol
to Defend Medicaid and Advance the Family Care Act</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">HARRISBURG, PA \u2014 September 29, 2025</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> \u2014 Advocates, caregivers, families, and community
leaders will gather at the Pennsylvania State Capitol today for <b>PA Needs
Care Day</b>, a joint movement to defend Medicaid and demand the passage of the
<b>Family Care Act</b>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The event features back-to-back rallies in the Capitol Rotunda, beginning
with the <b>#SaveMedicaid Rally</b> at 10:00 AM, followed by the <b>Family Care
Act Rally</b> at 11:00 AM. The day concludes with a peaceful sit-in as
advocates call for urgent legislative action.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">"Today we stand together to say: Care is not a privilege \u2014 it\u2019s a
right,"</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> - MC and disability advocate <b>Josie Badger</b>.</span></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
<hr size="2" width="100%" align="center">
</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">#SaveMedicaid Rally (10:00\u201311:00 AM)</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Speakers will highlight the essential role of Medicaid in the lives of
Pennsylvanians with disabilities, mental health needs, and long-term care. The
rally will also address proposed policy threats, including work requirements
and program cuts.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Key Speakers:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"></span></p>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Josie Badger</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">, Disability Advocate (MC)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Erin Gabriel</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">, Parent Advocate</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Rep. Dan Miller</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">, PA House of Representatives</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><b>Mr Dan Miller </b>Mental Health Community Leader</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Dr. Christie Cyktor</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">, Disability & Generational
Equity Advocate</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Secretary Val Arkoosh</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">, PA Department of Human Services</span></li>
</ul>
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<hr size="2" width="100%" align="center">
</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Family Care Act Rally (11:00\u201311:45 AM)</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Theme:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Care Is a Right, Not a Privilege</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The Family Care Act (HB200/SB906) would create a paid family and medical
leave program in Pennsylvania \u2014 allowing workers to care for loved ones without
risking their jobs or income. Speakers will emphasize the bill\u2019s bipartisan
roots and its importance for people with disabilities, caregivers, and working
families.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Key Speakers:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"></span></p>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Josie Badger</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">, Disability Advocate (MC)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Rep. Joe Hohenstein</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">, PA House of Representatives</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Sandra Carroll</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">, Family Caregiver</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Rep. Arvind Venkat</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">, Physician & Legislator</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Monica Albert</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">, Nurse and PWD</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><b>Hanaa Hawthorn</b> Mental Health Caregiver</span></li>
</ul>
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<hr size="2" width="100%" align="center">
</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Why This Matters</span></b></p>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">1 in 4</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Pennsylvanians has a disability</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Over 53 million</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Americans serve as unpaid
caregivers</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Cuts to Medicaid and lack of paid
leave put lives, jobs, and communities at risk</span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><i><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">\u201cPennsylvania is strongest when we support care,\u201d</span></i><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> said Josie Badger. <i>\u201cWe need
lawmakers to act now \u2014 because no one should have to choose between health and
income, between caregiving and survival.\u201d</i></span></p>
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<hr size="2" width="100%" align="center">
</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Accessible Entrance:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Commonwealth Ave (near the fountain), Harrisburg, PA<br>
<b>Register:</b> </span><a href="https://forms.gle/2HqQ644v28i3xqP18" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue">https://forms.gle/2HqQ644v28i3xqP18</span></a><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Contact: Josie Badger \u2013 724-944-0429,
<a href="mailto:josie@jbadgerconsultingservicesinc.org" target="_blank">josie@jbadgerconsultingservicesinc.org</a></p></div></div>
</div></div>