“Having grown up with a stutter, I know how important speech therapy can be, not only in improving speech but also in boosting confidence,” state Rep. Brandon Markosek said. “I understand firsthand the challenges and stigma that come with stuttering and that giving children access to necessary speech therapy early on will help them develop communication skills important to their academic and social development. This legislation is about making sure that no child in Pennsylvania has to face the additional hurdle of affordability when it comes to getting the support they need to thrive.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – The Pennsylvania House today passed landmark legislation introduced by state Rep. Dan Frankel that would prohibit annual and lifetime limits on health insurance policies across the commonwealth. Frankel, who is majority chair of the House Health Committee, said his H.B. 2562 would ensure that all Pennsylvanians are guaranteed access to essential health care, regardless of federal actions or court decisions that could impact existing protections. “No family should be forced to choose between life-saving treatment and financial ruin because their insurance arbitrarily cuts them off when they need it most,” said Frankel. “By passing House Bill 2562, we are taking a stand to ensure that Pennsylvanians are protected, no matter what happens in Washington or the courts.” Currently, protections against annual and lifetime limits are in place under the Affordable Care Act. However, with ongoing legal challenges and political threats to the ACA, the passage of H.B. 2562 is a crucial step toward enshrining these protections into Pennsylvania state law, providing residents peace of mind and ensuring that health care remains a right, not a privilege. The legislation passed as part of a three-bill legislative package to enshrine ACA protections into state law. The other bills include: H.B. 2563 , by Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, which would allow parents to keep their adult Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – Legislation that would make Diwali an official holiday in Pennsylvania passed the General Assembly with a bipartisan majority today and will soon become law. Senate Bill 402 was introduced by state Sens. Greg Rothman, R-Cumberland/Dauphin/Perry, and Nikil Saval, D-Phila., and would not require school, government or employer closings. “Thousands of Pennsylvanians celebrate Diwali each year, as a time of reflection and gathering,” Rothman said. “Recognizing Diwali as an official state holiday upholds and celebrates our commonwealth’s rich cultural diversity.” “Wherever we’re from and whatever our background, all of us deserve to have our cultures recognized and honored. As the number of Asian Americans grows steadily here in Pennsylvania and across the country, our commonwealth’s official recognition of Diwali sends a clear message of inclusion,” Saval added. “I am so proud to have worked with my colleagues in the state legislature to put Pennsylvania at the forefront by acknowledging Diwali’s deep cultural significance and inviting all people to reflect on the endless struggle of light over darkness.” State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s companion legislation, House Bill 436 , passed the Pennsylvania House in April of last year. “Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by over a billion Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists worldwide, including hundreds Read more
Newly listed state grant programs Read more
Recommendations include employment targets, eliminating sub-minimum wage and segregated work for state employees and contractors Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s bills that would enhance licensure flexibility for physician assistants related to their supervising physicians passed the Pennsylvania House unanimously today. House Bills 2294 and 2295 would amend the physician licensure acts in Pennsylvania and allow physician assistants to work with either classification of physician, a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, without having to align with the physician’s license type. Current law requires that physician assistants and supervising physicians must be licensed by the same state medicine board. “Medical professionals want to help as many patients as possible, and my commonsense bills eliminate a circumstantial barrier to performing their sworn duty,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their affirmative votes and their personal investments in the health and livelihood of patients and health professionals alike.” Both bills now move to the state Senate for consideration. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury joined health advocates and lawmakers today at a Capitol news conference to raise awareness that the state provides newborn screening for a wide range of genetic diseases and to urge that Gaucher disease be added to the list of screened diseases. “It’s important for parents to know that Pennsylvania already performs genetic screening for a wide range of listed genetic diseases right at birth,” Salisbury said. “As of now, Gaucher disease is not on that list, which means that hospitals and parents don’t automatically receive information on whether their newborn has the disease. “We’re here to raise awareness about that and to ask the state to reconsider adding Gaucher disease to the list so parents can know from the start whether their child needs treatment.” Also speaking at the event were Aviva Fisher Rosenberg, who is co-founder of the Gaucher Community Alliance; Majority House Health Committee Chairman Rep. Dan Frankel; and Rep. Tarik Khan, who is a member of the House Health Committee and the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus. Gaucher disease is an inherited disorder that is most common in Jewish people of Eastern and Central European descent. The disease can impair organ function, weaken bones and damage bone marrow, resulting in multiple complications, including blood cancers. The disease can appear at any age. A rare Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s bill that would provide greater oversight to the implementation of artificial intelligence by health insurance companies when determining the appropriateness of claims was the subject of an informational hearing today in the Pennsylvania House Insurance Committee. “The rapid growth in the use of artificial intelligence in the health industry may help improve the efficiency of processing insurance claims, but streamlining this process may deprive people of the human connection essential in doctor-patient relationships,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “My bill would not only keep that bond intact, but it would ensure that the deciding determination of claims is in the hands of qualified medical professionals and out of the hands of software programmed to make that call.” House Bill 1663 would place several requirements regarding AI that insurers must follow. They are: Disclosing to clinicians, subscribers and the public that claims evaluations use AI algorithms. Defining “algorithms used in claims review” as clinical review criteria and, therefore, ensuring they are subject to existing laws and regulations that such criteria is grounded in clinical evidence. Requiring specialized health care professionals who review claims for health insurance companies and rely on initial AI algorithms for such reviews to individually open each clinical record or clinical Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s bill that would establish timelines for Medical Assistance applications to be approved or renewed for eligible individuals transitioning to long-term care facilities and compensate those facilities for all services provided during the application processing period was the subject of an informational hearing today in the Pennsylvania House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee. As proposed, H.B. 2320 would require the state Department of Human Services and county assistance offices meet said benchmarks. Long-term care facilities could receive part of the funds owed to them faster and request a status update on pending application(s). The department could also end reimbursement to facilities if a person’s Medical Assistance request is denied and claw back any previous interim payments in such circumstances. “Long-term care facilities are vital pillars of the health community in more ways than one. This includes maintaining quality and quantity of care as an individual’s eligibility for Medical Assistance is determined,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “We must, however, compensate these institutions in a timely manner so they can continue to perform their great work. My bill holds state and county offices accountable, in terms of MA application turnaround, and benefits patient and provider alike.” House Bill 2320 will be the subject of further deliberation in the Read more
“These grants are a big win for our community,” said state Rep. Anita Kulik, D-Allegheny. “The VFW Post in Carnegie provides important services for our veterans, and the Bridgeville Public Library is a cornerstone of our community’s educational and cultural resources. I’m thrilled to see these funds going toward projects that will benefit our veterans, library patrons and the broader communities.” Read more
Lawmakers detail state budget process, answer questions from community Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 24 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, has introduced a bill that would provide financial assistance to the spouses of Pennsylvania first responders killed in the line of duty. Powell’s legislation ( H.B. 2559 ) would clarify a provision in the state Workers’ Compensation Act and ensure surviving spouses of emergency personnel continue to receive death benefits, even if they choose to remarry. Current law does keep retirement pensions in place at 50% for surviving spouses, but death benefits cease upon remarriage. “Our first responders risk everything to protect us and some make the ultimate sacrifice. Standing with them means standing with their families,” Powell said. “It’s only right to have their backs, and my bill would help give them the financial stability to rebuild their lives.” The bill has been referred to the PA House Labor & Industry Committee. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 19 – Members of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation announced today that more than $7.3 million in funding is coming back to the county to strengthen criminal justice programs and bolster services for survivors of domestic violence and other crimes. Some of the funding includes $1.3 million to the Center for Victims and more than $1 million to Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, both located in the 36th Legislative District. “Survivors of domestic violence and other crimes face a difficult road back to feeling safe, strong and empowered,” said state Rep. Jessica Benham, who represents the 36th District. “These grants will fund new resources and program support for these critically important organizations, which are based in our district but serve residents throughout the region.” The Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, based in the 24th Legislative District with services provided across the region, secured $1.2 million to bolster services for domestic violence survivors. “The center offers a safe place for survivors of domestic violence and also runs programs that give them the tools, resources and confidence to regain independent, empowered lives,” said Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, who represents the 24th Legislative District. “The new funding will ensure that this amazing community organization can Read more
Newly listed grant programs Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 10 – House and Senate leaders of the PA Safe Caucus applauded Gov. Josh Shapiro’s move Tuesday to reestablish the Office of Gun Violence Prevention as part of an effort to marshal every possible resource to keep Pennsylvanians safe. “Pennsylvanians are wondering if they will be safe at a concert or a grocery store or their house of faith, or if their children might encounter an unsecured firearm at a friend’s house or will one day hide under a desk while a school shooter thunders down the hallway,” said House PA Safe Caucus Co-chair Dan Frankel. “I’m proud to partner with a governor who doesn’t find any of that OK and doesn’t think we are powerless to stop it.” The Office of Gun Violence Prevention falls under the purview of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which is led by Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. It will bring together public safety and public health experts, gun violence survivors and advocates and leaders from across Pennsylvania to address and prevent gun violence. “I applaud Governor Shapiro for taking the necessary steps to ensure safety for our communities. For decades, Republicans in the Pennsylvania legislature have blocked almost every attempt to regulate firearms, and the result has been beyond tragic for our communities,” said House PA Safe Caucus co-chair Anthony Bellmon. “This renewed office will make sure that gun Read more
School districts across Allegheny County awarded a total of $10.6 million in funding Read more
“Eliminating environmental hazards in our schools is vital to the well-being and success of our students,” said Kinkead, D-Allegheny. “I’m proud to have helped secure this critical investment in creating safe and healthy schools.” Read more
"These investments will go a long way in ensuring that our students have a safe and healthy learning environment,” said state Rep. Kulik, D-Allegheny. “I will continue to advocate for resources that improve the infrastructure of our schools." Read more
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