Healthcare Stances
U.S. House Candidates In PA-1
Brian Fitzpatrick (Republican)
Picture from brianfitzpatrick.com
Brian Fitzpatrick supports a mixed healthcare system that maintains private insurance while expanding access and affordability through targeted reforms. He opposes a fully government-run healthcare system but supports protections for people with preexisting conditions and efforts to lower prescription drug costs. Fitzpatrick has backed bipartisan healthcare legislation aimed at stabilizing insurance markets and improving access without eliminating private plans. His approach reflects a belief that healthcare should remain largely market-based, with government intervention used selectively to address gaps and costs.
Bob Harvie (Democrat)
Photo curtesy of the Bob Harvie for congress campaign
Bob Harvie supports a stronger government role in healthcare to ensure that all people have reliable access to care regardless of income or employment status. He has emphasized the importance of protecting and expanding access to affordable healthcare, particularly for working families, seniors, and vulnerable populations. Harvie’s views align with expanding public healthcare options and strengthening government involvement to reduce costs and improve coverage, while prioritizing healthcare as a public service rather than a purely market-driven system.
Tracy Hunt (Democrat-Former Republican)
Tracy Hunt (R) protests at the No Kings Rally in Langhorne on Oct. 18. Photo contributed.
Tracy Hunt views healthcare as a basic necessity that should be accessible to everyone and believes the current system leaves too many people uninsured or underinsured. While he has not released a detailed healthcare plan, his public comments suggest support for expanded government involvement to improve access, affordability, and outcomes. Hunt’s perspective aligns with reforms that reduce the role of private profit in healthcare delivery and increase public investment in coverage and care.
Lucia Simonelli (Democrat)
Democrat Lucia Simonelli. From buckscountybeacon.com
Lucia Simonelli supports a major restructuring of the U.S. healthcare system to ensure universal access. She has expressed support for a government-led healthcare model that guarantees care for all residents, regardless of income, employment, or insurance status. Simonelli is critical of private insurance companies’ role in healthcare and supports a system where healthcare delivery is driven by public need rather than profit, with government playing a central role in organizing and funding care.
Robert “Rob” Strickler (Democrat)
Democratic hopefuls Tracy Hunt, Lucia Simonelli and Rob Strickler held a town hall Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at the Horsham Township Community Center. (Kenny Cooper/WHYY)
Robert “Rob” Strickler supports expanding public healthcare access and reducing the influence of private insurance and corporate interests in healthcare delivery. While he has not released a detailed proposal, his messaging indicates support for a more centralized and publicly accountable healthcare system. Strickler views healthcare as a right and believes government should play a stronger role in ensuring affordable, comprehensive coverage for all Americans.
Pennsylvania Governor Race Candidates
Josh Shapiro (Democratic)
ShapiroPhotographer: Matt Rourke/AP Photo
Josh Shapiro supports expanding access to healthcare while maintaining a mixed system that includes both public and private options. As governor, he has focused on protecting Medicaid, expanding access to mental health services, and lowering healthcare costs, particularly prescription drug prices. Shapiro does not support eliminating private insurance but favors strengthening public programs and regulating healthcare markets to ensure coverage is accessible, affordable, and reliable.
Stacy Garrity (Republican)
State Treasurer Stacy Garrity could become the state’s first female governor if she wins next year. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty
Stacy Garrity supports a healthcare system that relies primarily on private insurance and market competition, with limited government involvement. She opposes government-run universal healthcare systems and has expressed concern that such systems reduce choice and increase government control. Garrity favors reforms that increase efficiency, encourage competition, and lower costs without expanding federal control over healthcare delivery.
Bucks County Commissioners Race Candidates
Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia (Democrat)
Diane Ellis-Marseglia (Courtesy of Bucks United)
Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, at the county level, focuses on ensuring residents have access to essential healthcare services through public programs and partnerships. While she does not set national healthcare policy, her approach emphasizes supporting public health infrastructure, mental health services, and programs that help residents access care. Her perspective reflects a belief that government has a responsibility to help coordinate and deliver healthcare services locally, especially for vulnerable populations.
Robert J. “Bob” Harvie Jr. (Democrat)
From bobharvieforcongress.com
Robert J. “Bob” Harvie Jr. supports maintaining and strengthening public healthcare services at the local level, including mental health care, emergency medical services, and access programs. He generally views healthcare as a shared public responsibility and supports government involvement to ensure residents can access care regardless of income. Harvie Jr.’s approach aligns with using public systems to fill gaps left by private healthcare markets.
Gene DiGirolamo (Republican)
Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo making remarks. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Gene DiGirolamo supports a limited-government approach to healthcare, favoring private insurance and local control over healthcare delivery. As a county commissioner, his focus has been on ensuring basic public health services while avoiding expansion of government-run healthcare programs. DiGirolamo’s views reflect concern about government overreach and emphasize efficiency, personal responsibility, and cost control within the healthcare system.