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
Newly listed state grant programs 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
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 9 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, held his first senior fair inside a packed hall at the National Aviary this past Thursday. The event’s goal was to provide older Pennsylvanians with information on state services geared toward them. This included assistance with the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program and initiatives under the banner of the state departments of Banking & Securities and Military & Veterans Affairs. “Thank you to all who came out for the senior fair,” Abney said. “Creating a meaningful space for our elder neighbors in the district to feel loved and appreciated and have a great time was a true pleasure. I also want to thank the National Aviary, my staff, and everyone else who made the event such a success.” Photos from the senior fair can be viewed here . Read more
HARRISBURG, Aug. 28 – Majority House Health Committee Chair Dan Frankel issued the following statement in response to state Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor’s audit released today: “I’m embarrassed for the auditor general, but he’s not the first person to struggle to understand our health care system. It’s far too complicated, and these massive companies intentionally use that fact to fleece health care consumers. “Those of us working on this issue understand that spread pricing is a specific way that pharmacy benefit managers make money – by collecting the difference between how much they pay for drugs and how much they charge. Our Department of Human Services banned spread pricing in Medical Assistance years ago, and it is prohibited in contracts. “Unsurprisingly, PBMs still do find a variety of ways to extract profits from pharmacies, even though they are already barred from doing so through spread pricing specifically. PBMs are extremely savvy corporations that excel at finding loopholes and making money off our pharmaceutical distribution system. In fact, they are currently being investigated for these practices by the Federal Trade Commission. “While I’ll allow that this industry is allergic to transparency and intentionally confusing, I am genuinely shocked that a public official charged with protecting the interests of this commonwealth could be so easily snookered. Read more
“I dispute the findings of the Auditor General’s audit because they are rooted in a lack of understanding of key terms. Had the Auditor General engaged with me at any point on the issue of Pharmacy Benefits Managers, an issue I’ve been working on for quite some time, he would perhaps have a better grasp of the issues." Read more
Celebrates new law to reform pharmacy benefit manager policy Read more
“The good news is that we know treatment can work – Michael and I are living proof that childhood stuttering doesn’t have to stand in the way of a successful future,” said state Rep. Markosek, D-Allegheny. “But timing is important; because treating stuttering is easier and more successful when kids are younger, it’s critically important that parents and caregivers have the coverage needed to get their children started at an early age. Read more
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