Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Budget Update, Good Bills we’ve passed, and upcoming events!

Budget Update, Good Bills we’ve passed, and upcoming events!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 

It has certainly been a busy couple of weeks at the Capitol. We have passed HB 1330, a General Appropriations bill, and sent it to the Senate. We are soon going to hit the one-month mark of our State Budget Impasse, with no word from the Senate.

 

I also had the privilege of inviting my interns to be recognized in the House chamber. Read on to learn more about the GOOD bills that we are passing in the House that help to protect people like you and me.

 

Also included in this email is a list of upcoming events taking place in the 201st Legislative District. As always, if you need any assistance with anything, feel free to contact my office at 215.849.6582.

 

Your Neighbor,

Rep. Andre D. Carroll

 

Harrisburg News and Legislation

 

A Healthier Tomorrow for YOU

Everyone deserves access to health care. And no one should go broke or be forced to choose between their medical bills and other necessities like groceries, utilities or housing. No one should have to ask the trauma center for a price sheet and a credit application before getting emergency care.

 

Beyond even that, preserving health care is preserving one-sixth of Pennsylvania’s economy and tens of thousands of good jobs across the commonwealth that can’t be outsourced. 

 

Health care is under attack in Washington, D.C., like never before. We’re fighting to protect your health coverage, expand access to care and ensure quality and affordable health care in Pennsylvania. Just this year, we’ve passed many bills to make sure you can stay healthy or take care of yourself when you – or someone you love – grows older, gets sick, or is injured.

 

Enshrining Affordable Care Act Protections - I passed bills to:

•           Make sure parents can keep their children insured until age 26, because medical bills should never stand in the way of a bright future.

•           Stop insurance companies from capping your coverage for essential benefits – because lifetime benefits should last a lifetime.

•           Protect coverage for pre-existing conditions, ensuring that all coverage is maintained, no matter what health condition you have – some insurance companies even try to treat getting pregnant as a “pre-existing condition” to deny care.

•           Require health insurance policies to cover preventive health care services without cost-sharing, keeping you healthy now and screening for health care issues that could arise in the future. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

•           Make sure Private Equity firms can’t buy up our hospitals and nursing homes and drain them dry before closing them down and leaving our communities without any care options.

 

Protecting Our Moms – I passed bills to:

•           Require insurance coverage for blood pressure monitors for home use within one year of the delivery or end of pregnancy.

•           Expand Medical Assistance to cover blood pressure monitors for home use as a pregnancy-related service.

•           Require health insurers to cover diagnostic breast examinations.

 

Protecting our Seniors

I passed a bill to make sure older residents who get their medicine from PACE and PACENET never have to worry about being kicked off those benefits due to a Social Security benefit increase.

 

I passed a bill making it easier for you to get your medicine by cutting red tape and allowing electronic transfer of certain prescription medications between pharmacies.

 

I passed a bill to protect student-athletes and people who attend games by requiring AEDs at school athletic events- in fact, I also fought to pass a bill requiring every state building be equipped with an AED.

 

I passed a bill to make sure insurance companies can’t deny your child coverage when health care providers deliver services like speech therapy, occupational therapy or anything else when the care is provided in a school setting.

 

I passed a bill recognizing your teeth are part of your body and requiring Medical Assistance to provide dental coverage.

 

I passed a bill to make sure insurers cover contraceptives.

 

It’s a lot, but health care is vital and impacts us all. Now? It’s up to the state Senate to stand up for you. Please call your senator and tell them to act.

 

Want to know more? Visit www.pahouse.com/deliveringforpa.

 

HB 1506—Eliminating Costs for Communication for Incarcerated Individuals

Research has shown that contact between incarcerated individuals and their families has positive outcomes for all involved, including reduced recidivism rates. However, prison phone contracts are often based on a commission model, where the phone service provider pays commission to the contracting government agency, such as a state prison or county jail. These commissions inflate the cost of phone calls, to the detriment of incarcerated individuals and their families. In 2019, these commissions amounted to over $3.47 million being paid by families in Pennsylvania for communications with their incarcerated family member.

 

In order to relieve families of incarcerated individuals of this financial burden, I introduced legislation that would require state prisons and county jails to provide voice communication services free to incarcerated individuals initiating or receiving communications.

 

District News and Events

 

Are you interested in volunteering?

  • Do you need community service hours?
  • Do you want to give back to your community?
  • Do you want to learn more about legislative office operations and connect with your representative?

Our office is now accepting sign-ups for volunteers! We have lots of opportunities for volunteer efforts doing community outreach, office support, social media and communications, event assistance, and other miscellaneous efforts.

 

Germantown Community Day Recap

On July 13th, I went to support the Germantown Community Day held by Sisters with an Agenda at MY alma mater—Germantown High School. While at the event, I had the privilege of giving out citations to members of the community for their hard work and dedication in working to make the 201st Legislative District a better place to live.

 

Baltimore Trip

On July 17th, Councilmember Isaiah Thomas and his team, alongside my office staff and I took a trip to visit Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott. We had productive discussions about the way that Mayor Scott is working to improve the well-being of the residents of Baltimore. We left the meeting with the hope of bringing some of these improvements to the city of Philadelphia.

We thank Mayor Scott for his warm welcome to his office at Baltimore’s City Hall. We look forward to hosting Mayor Scott here in Philadelphia to continue learning and improving our cities!

 

Community Cleanup Day

On July 19th, my district office team and I partnered with Philly Neighborhood Networks and the Systemic Reformative Change Foundation for another Community Cleanup Day. Our mission to make cleaner neighborhoods helps to create healthier community spaces, and safer streets. Thank you to all the volunteers who came out and helped us! If you want to get involved, sign up to volunteer with our office today!

 

2nd Annual Germantown Night Market

On July 19th, I attended the 2nd annual Germantown night market. While I was there, I had the opportunity to enjoy the local shop vendors, food trucks and listen to some great music. I’m always excited to support these businesses. I left the event feeling fulfilled at the community around the 201st Legislative District. Thank you to Maplewood Collective for putting this special summer event together, and I hope to be able to attend again!

 

Philadelphia Youth Football Academy Certificate Presentation

On July 21st, I had the opportunity to present a certificate to the Philadelphia Youth Football Academy for their 3 years of commitment and dedication to helping the community. I had the pleasure of speaking with all the youth involved and informing them about what it means to be a State Representative. I want to acknowledge and thank all of the coaching staff and parents for creating a safe space for our young people to grow and explore their talents. I am thrilled to see the academy’s continued success and looking forward to the many more years to come!

 

Belfield Community Party

On Saturday, July 26th, Belfield Recreation Center will be holding their annual Belfield Community Party! Come out to enjoy some games and activities, food, and fun for the whole family!

 

Back-To-School Events

Are you in need of school supplies? During the month of August, my office will host three back-to-school resource fairs to help you prepare for the upcoming school year. There will also be several back-to-school popups throughout the city so be sure to check out the Back-to-School Bus Tour for some more resources and support!

 

August 2nd Back-To-School Fairs

There will be TWO Back-to-School events on August 2nd, so be sure to stop by and get geared up for the upcoming school year!  The first event will be held at the Hairafter Barber Lounge at 6338 N. 18th St., Philadelphia, PA 19144. Our second event of the day will be held in collaboration with Senator Haywood at the Lonnie Young Rec Center at 1100 E. Chelten Ave. Students in grades K-12 can get free school supplies, while you learn about state programs and services that support kids and families.

 

August 9th Back-To-School Fair

Be sure to join us August 9th at our Back-To-School Fair! At this event, there will be school supplies available for students in the 201st Legislative District while supplies last! There will be opportunities for kids to receive a FREE haircut to get them fresh and ready for the coming school year. There will also be the City of Philadelphia’s Hiring Bus & Recruitment team to talk about career opportunities. Don’t miss out!

 

August 16th Back-To-School Fair

Join us on our 3rd and final back-to-school event taking place on August 16th at Thorn’s Barber and Beauty Co.! If you aren’t able to make it to the first two events, make sure you stop by to get geared up for the upcoming school year, and to learn about all the resources and programs available with the assistance of your State Rep!

FREE YOUTH SUMMER PROGRAMMING: Songwriting, Production & Recording

Do you know a student looking to level up their songwriting, rapping and recording? BuildaBridge invites youth elementary, middle school, high school & beyond to The Music Studio at LYRC.  

Sign up to join BuildaBridge at the Lonnie Young Recreation Center (1100 Chelten) on Tuesdays & Thursdays all summer from 4-5:30 p.m.  Participants will learn from PROFESSIONAL musicians and gain valuable skills that will help their music careers while learning valuable life lessons.

Join us now until the end of August!.

Register here: bit.ly/BaBLYRMusicStudio

 

Resources and Programs

 

Property Tax Rent Rebate

The application deadline for Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has been extended to Dec. 31, 2025.

 

Thanks to a historic expansion of the program passed by the General Assembly, more Pennsylvanians than ever -- including older adults, widows/widowers and people with disabilities -- are eligible for the rebates, with increased maximum payments of up to $1,000. In the last claim year, the program issued over 522,000 rebates totaling $319 million, including 106,000 first-time filers.

 

Filing is free, easy, and can be done online through myPATH. In-person help is also available at my district office and through PA Department of Revenue district offices and Area Agencies on Aging.

 

Don't miss out on the relief you may be entitled to! Learn more and apply at: pa.gov/ptrr.

 

Clean Slate Pardon Clinic

Join us for a free clinic on September 19th  where legal experts will be on hand to guide you through the pardon and expungement process. Whether you're just getting started or have questions about eligibility, we're here to help you take the next step toward a fresh start.

 

Pennsylvania State Capitol

6B East Wing

Harrisburg, PA 17120-2201

District Office

5845 Germantown Ave.

Philadelphia, PA 19144-2154