Officials Launch Tour to Promote Free Preventive Healthcare

State officials began a statewide tour to educate Pennsylvania women about free preventive health services under ACA.

July 13, 2026

Article Summary –

The Pennsylvania state administration, led by Gov. Josh Shapiro, has initiated a statewide tour to increase awareness about free preventive health services available to women under the Affordable Care Act, as many remain unaware of these benefits. The initiative, supported by a grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, aims to address barriers such as cost, provider availability, and time constraints that deter women from accessing preventive care, with tour sessions scheduled across various locations from July to September. The effort is further underscored by growing concerns over the rising number of uninsured individuals in the state due to the lapse of expanded tax credits, which have resulted in higher healthcare premiums and decreased marketplace coverage.

On July 8, members of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration and state health officials kicked off a Pennsylvania-wide tour to highlight free preventive health services available for women.

According to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most marketplace and private insurance plans must cover preventive services at no cost, regardless of deductible status. These services include yearly exams, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and counseling for domestic violence.

A survey showed that 31% of Pennsylvania women are unaware of these free services. Cost, provider availability, and time constraints were key factors affecting women’s access to preventive care.

The tour aims to raise awareness, starting in Mechanicsburg and visiting cities like Wilkes-Barre, Philadelphia, State College, and Pittsburgh, ending in September. Check the session schedule here. Participants include representatives from the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Department of Health, and Human Services.

“Preventive care is crucial for early cancer and heart disease detection,” emphasized Secretary of Health Debra Bogen in a press release. “Early detection often means easier treatments and better outcomes.”

For uninsured women, free breast and cervical cancer screenings are available through the Department of Health. More details are on the Department of Health’s website.

The number of uninsured in Pennsylvania is rising since the expiration of expanded tax credits, causing a spike in ACA marketplace premiums (source). Over 160,000 have left the ACA marketplace since January, impacting millions nationwide.

Funded by a $635,352 grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the tour is part of a broader educational initiative on preventive care by state officials.

“Free healthcare services are available through Medicaid and most insurance plans,” stressed Department of Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh in a statement. “Preventive services are essential for maintaining good health and catching issues early.”