Watch New Ad “Merrick” Here

The Ad Features a Local Veteran Who Calls on Perry to Stand Up for Veterans

August 12, 2025

Harrisburg, PENNSYLVANIA - Today, Affordable Pennsylvania launched a new TV ad calling out Congressman Scott Perry’s failure to stand up for our nation’s veterans.

The ad, “Merrick”, features U.S. Air Force veteran Merrick Green, who calls out Rep. Perry’s vote to gut Medicaid and SNAP, programs that millions of veterans and military families rely on, to fund bigger tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. In the ad, Merrick urges the Congressman to stand up for veterans and calls on fellow constituents to hold Perry accountable to his promises.

Last month, Congressman Perry voted for the largest cuts in history for Medicaid and SNAP. Medicaid currently provides health care coverage to 1 in 10 veterans - about 1.6 million people - with 3.4 million children of veterans depending on Medicaid for their health care. Nationwide, SNAP helps 1.2 million veterans put food on the table. In Pennsylvania, approximately 11% of veterans are on Medicaid, while 9% rely on SNAP. Also this year, Perry voted for a bill that would cut a Department of Veterans Affairs fund meant to cover costs for illnesses linked to military burn pits and other chemical exposure.

This is the third ad in Affordable Pennsylvania’s $4 million accountability campaign across radio, TV, digital and print media. The first two ads focused on Trump’s tariff policy, with the first launching in early July and the second coming at the end of the month.

“I was proud to stand for my country during my 23 years in the Air Force. Now, we need a congressman who will stand up for my benefits in Washington,” said Merrick Green. “Millions of veterans and military families depend on Medicaid and SNAP – but Congressman Perry voted to gut them for bigger billionaire tax breaks. Pennsylvania’s veterans deserve better.”

“Our veterans and their families make the biggest sacrifices for our country. Scott Perry repaid them by voting to gut the healthcare they rely on,” said Rachele Fortier, executive director of Affordable Pennsylvania. “We should be honoring the promise we made to take care of our veterans, not cutting benefits for them and their families to give bigger tax breaks to the wealthiest among us. Congressman Perry needs to stand up to Trump and stand by our veterans.”

Read a Transcript of “Merrick” Below:

Merrick: I served in the Air Force for 23 years. I was proud to stand for my country.

But I’m not going to stand for what Congressman Scott Perry is doing in Washington.

He’s forgotten about us.

Perry voted to cut healthcare that veterans rely on.

That’s just not right.

We deserve our healthcare and Congressman Perry is trying to take it away to give more tax cuts to billionaires. That’s just cruel.

I’m an independent, I care about issues that impact veterans.

I wish Congressman Perry would stand with us.

Read More:

Public News Service: Report: Medicaid vital for Pennsylvania military families

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: 2025 Budget Stakes: Veterans Could Lose Vital Health, Food and Other Assistance

KFF: 5 Key Facts About Medicaid and Veterans

Modern Medicaid Alliance: Medicaid Cuts Threaten Veterans’ Health Care

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