As Prices Soar, Scranton-Area Moms, Families Say They Are Feeling the Squeeze

SCRANTON, PA, UNITED STATES, August 14, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Pennsylvania families are struggling to afford the care they need, including child care, health care, paid family and medical leave, and in-home care for seniors and people with disabilities. That’s why more than 75 Scranton-area voters gathered for a community conversation last week, to discuss how the rising cost of care and other essentials is making life unaffordable, and ways to convince lawmakers to pass policies that will help.

Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA) spoke at the event, which brought together multiple organizations and kicked off MomsRising Together’s “Moms Feel the Squeeze” Campaign in Pennsylvania. It will include gatherings throughout the state this fall to draw attention to the challenges families face and the solutions they need.

“While Republican politicians are gutting Medicaid and spending billions of dollars on a war of choice in Iran, Pennsylvania families are struggling,” said Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director and CEO of MomsRising Together, which has 3.7 million members nationwide and 50,000 in Pennsylvania. “Families are being forced into impossible choices: health care or groceries, prescriptions or rent, gas in the car or a doctor’s visit. It’s because Republican leaders in Washington are prioritizing ballrooms over emergency rooms. There is more than enough money for the programs our families, businesses, and economy need. This is about priorities.”

“I think in a country as wealthy as ours, the American dream should be something about more than just getting by,” Rep. Deluzio said. “It's about having dignity in every stage and every chapter of life. For so many families, care is a huge part of that. But Republicans in Congress passed a bill that took health care from people, and food stamps from people, and added trillions to the debt to pay for tax giveaways for big corporations and the richest people in the history of this country. It has all led to worse care. We’re fighting a righteous fight for care that we can afford, for dignity on the job for care workers, and for parents, children, and grandparents to have what they need. I'm proud to be with you in that fight, so that squeeze goes away and we can afford to live our lives.”

In Pennsylvania, the median wage is $49,690, and care costs add up:

The average annual cost of in-home senior and disability care: $77,792 (CareScout, 2026)

The average annual cost of child care for two children: $28,083 (Child Care Aware, 2026)

Pay loss over 12 weeks for a worker paid the median wage who doesn’t have paid family and medical leave: $13,792.68 (BLS, 2026)

Last week’s Scranton community conversation was sponsored by: MomsRising Together, Affordable Pennsylvania, Pennsylvanians Together in Action, SEIU PA State Council, Care Can’t Wait Action, the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, the Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy, Action Together NEPA, and Economic Security Project Action.

Lisa Lederer
MomsRising
+1 202-371-1996
lisa@momsrising.org