Article Summary –
Living expenses in Pennsylvania have risen significantly one year after President Trump took office, with health care premiums increasing and many residents losing coverage due to Medicaid cuts and expired ACA tax credits. Inflation, tariffs, and unemployment contribute to the financial strain, with families spending more on daily expenses and feeling dissatisfied with the economic direction of the country. A majority of Pennsylvanians disapprove of Trump’s presidency, reflecting nationwide sentiment that the administration’s policies are prioritizing corporate interests over the needs of ordinary families.
One year since President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20, 2025, many Pennsylvanians are experiencing increased living costs, causing widespread discontent.
Health care premiums are rising, and hundreds of thousands may lose health coverage. Families are spending more due to inflation and tariffs, while unemployment is rising.
Discontent with the president is evident; a poll from the Bravo Group found 57% of Pennsylvania voters disapprove of Trump, with 56% believing the country is on the wrong path. Nationwide, six in 10 Americans share a similar sentiment, according to an AP-NORC poll.
“Pennsylvanians are unhappy about the economy and national direction,” said Christopher Borick, a political science professor at Muhlenberg College, in an interview with NPR. “They dislike high electricity and housing prices and are especially concerned about health care.”
Rising Health Care Costs and Coverage Loss
This summer, Republicans cut $1 trillion from Medicaid, and let vital tax credits expire, impacting ACA marketplace insurance. State reports indicated 300,000 Pennsylvanians could lose Medicaid, with nearly half a million facing premium hikes in 2026. KFF warned that 450,000 might lose coverage due to these cuts.
Lynn Weidner, an Allentown caregiver reliant on ACA marketplace insurance, shared fears of affording coverage without the tax credit as her monthly plan is set to rise from $400 to $700. To cope, she reduced grocery spending and driving due to high gas prices.
“I stopped buying beef because it’s too expensive, affecting my anemia, but I have to manage,” Weidner expressed. “It’s challenging.”
Republican Medicaid cuts threaten not just individuals but also healthcare infrastructure. More than 330 rural, 100 urban hospitals, 570 nursing homes, and nearly 200 Planned Parenthood centers across the US could close due to reduced Medicaid funds, per a Protect Our Care report. Since the bill’s enactment on July 4, 13 hospitals and 150 clinics have announced closures.
Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania has temporarily closed three of four clinics. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration notes 25 rural hospitals in Pennsylvania face similar risks.
“In one year, Trump and Republicans have prioritized billionaires over families’ healthcare needs,” Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach said in a statement. “Coverage has been stripped away, premiums have soared, while they claim costs are dropping. Families must choose between losing coverage or facing medical debt.”
Inflation, Tariffs and Unemployment
Besides healthcare, Pennsylvanians face rising costs from inflation and tariffs.
Families spent $733 more from February to September 2025 due to inflation, reported by the Joint Economic Committee.
“Families pay more despite Trump’s assurances last year that ‘inflation will be in FULL RETREAT’ by August 2025,” the committee wrote.
Pennsylvania families may lose $1,060 annually due to financial fallout from Trump’s tariffs. The Joint Economic Committee noted an average $1,200 tariff cost per American family since Trump’s term began.
Meanwhile, unemployment is climbing.
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry reported a 4.1% unemployment rate in September, up from 3.7% the previous year. Nationally, it rose by three-tenths of a point.
“Trump’s first year back has been disastrous for Pennsylvania families,” DNC senior advisor Tim Hogan said. “He broke his Day One promise to lower costs, making life more expensive instead.”
—
Read More Pennsylvania News
