SCRANTON -- As President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress take steps to eliminate the Affordable Care Act, people in Scranton rallied to try to save it.
About 200 people gathered on Courthouse Square on Sunday. Many said the Republican plan to replace what is known as Obamacare would leave tens of thousands without health insurance.
Two leading Democrats, US Senator Bob Casey and Congressman Matt Cartwright promised they'll fight any plan to repeal Obamacare.
Tara Banninger from the Lehigh Valley fears her health insurance coverage would disappear if the president and Congress repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
Banninger spoke to hundreds of fellow demonstrators, telling them she's worried she might not be able to provide for her family.
"The proposals that the Republicans are putting forward is not sufficient. They are talking about taking away subsidies," Banninger said.
Banninger has type 1 diabetes and for the last 26 years, she's needed costly insulin injections just to live. Her biggest fear is that if Obamacare is repealed, her pre-existing medical condition will prevent her from being eligible for a health insurance plan she could afford.
"My insulin is $335 a vial. I need three vials a month, so we are looking at over $1,000 a month just for my medical care. That's like having a second mortgage."
People held signs supporting the benefits that come with Obamacare.
Representative Cartwright and Senator Casey were among those promising to keep up the fight to save their healthcare.
"You heard families today that have a child with a disability who will be adversely affected by what they are trying to do to rip away medical protection. That's what this is about, hearing those voices," said Sen. Casey, (D) Pennsylvania.
Banninger says realizes that there are flaws to Obamacare, but she doesn't think throwing it completely out is the right idea.
"We can adjust the law to make it so it is more affordable. We can put price controls and more accountability for the price increase for insurance companies," she said.
Republican leaders plan to replace Obamacare with a series of tax credits and more incentives to increase insurance competition. The demonstrators in Scranton say that plan would not work.
Organizers say they will continue to hold rallies for healthcare. The next one is planned for next Saturday on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre.