Democrats launch ad campaign targeting Pa. Republicans over rising health care costs

National Democrats plan to hold Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Ryan Mackenzie accountable as health care premiums are set to skyrocket in Pennsylvania.

National Democrats launched an ad campaign on Friday targeting US House Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) and Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) over Republicans’ refusal to extend tax credits that help hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians purchase health care through Pennie, the state’s healthcare marketplace. 

The campaign comes as Pennsylvanians who purchase their health care through Pennie start receiving notices in the mail that their premiums are increasing. 

Democrats in Congress are pushing for a permanent extension of the tax credits that have kept these premiums more affordable in recent years, but Republicans have refused to negotiate, prompting a stalemate that led to the ongoing government shutdown. 

The ad campaign includes a mix of digital ads on various social media platforms as well as billboards and bus shelter ads near local hospitals and clinics throughout Bucks County and the Lehigh Valley.  

“Right after the holidays, health care costs will more than double for families across  Pennsylvania because Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and Congressman Ryan Mackenzie refuse to work with Democrats to fix this crisis,” Ken Martin, Chair of the Democratic National Committee, said in a statement. “That’s why the DNC is going to make sure families everywhere know that Republicans are about to wreck their pocketbooks and price them out of health insurance.” 

The DNC is also looking to reach out to infrequent voters through text messages letting them know how much premiums may be rising and how to contact their lawmakers. 

By the numbers

Nearly 500,000 Pennsylvanians purchase their coverage through Pennie, and roughly 422,000 Pennie customers rely on the tax credits to keep premiums affordable.  

As many as 250,000 Pennsylvanians could lose their coverage as premiums skyrocket in 2026. Pennie estimates that premiums are expected to increase by an average of 82%.

According to Pennie, premiums are set to increase by 56% in Fitzpatrick’s district and 80% in Mackenzie’s district.