As millions of Americans face skyrocketing health insurance rates, a Pennsylvania Republican congressional candidate is proposing universal healthcare for children, young adults and expectant mothers.
Marty Young, a Republican running for the 6th Congressional District seat currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, has dubbed his proposal the Young Americans Plan (YAP).
The 6th District covers most of Chester County and a portion of Berks County, including Reading.
“At some point, we have to stop confusing inaction with responsibility, said Young in a statement. ”Just as America guarantees public education for every child, we can and must guarantee their health. That isn’t just common sense — it’s the right thing to do.”
He said that “healthcare premiums routinely exceed mortgage or rent payments, and families are one medical emergency away from financial collapse or a GoFundMe.”
Young’s statement also acknowledges that his proposed plan “will surprise many, as a Republican, he is proposing guaranteed healthcare coverage.”
An estimated 22 million Americans face skyrocketing premiums or the prospect of not having healthcare coverage after congressional Republicans rejected Democratic attempts to extend Obamacare, or Affordable Care Act, subsidies that expired at the end of 2025.
CNBC reported last month that those mainly affected would be early retirees, middle-income families, small business owners, minorities, and residents of states that voted for President Donald Trump in 2024.
“This is not a theoretical problem. It’s payroll. It’s jobs. It’s families trying to do everything right and still falling behind,” Young said in the statement. “Our system keeps rewarding professional fraudsters, corrupt politicians, government bureaucrats, and insurance middlemen while patients and doctors lose control — and families pay the price.”
Young said his YAP “attacks this crisis at its core — guaranteeing that no child, young adult, or expectant mother goes without care they need, while removing these costs from family and employer budgets.”
Under Young’s plan, children would receive healthcare coverage up to age 23, including preventive care, vaccines, and mental health services, while expecting mothers would get coverage for prenatal care, delivery, pediatric visits and postpartum care through the baby’s first birthday.