Three Venkat bills to protect vaccine access, stand up for pharmacists, move out of committee
Health October 8, 2025 | 11:36 AM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 8 – As access to vaccines and the vital work of pharmacists are under attack by the federal government, three bills introduced by state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, that would ensure Pennsylvanians can continue to have affordable and accessible vaccines and pharmacists can continue to keep communities healthy have been reported out of committees in the state House.
The first bill, H.B. 1828, would require that private insurers cover vaccines recommended by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which can draw upon the expertise of several professional medical societies for recommendation. This bill is being co-sponsored with state Reps. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., and Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna.
“This legislation is absolutely necessary to make sure Pennsylvanians have the access to vaccines they currently have,” said Venkat. “Due to the chaos in Washington, we will be at the judgement and altruism of insurance companies as to whether coverage of vital vaccines will be in place in Pennsylvania. This bill would ensure that Pennsylvanians are kept safe and healthy with affordable vaccines, regardless of what insurance companies or the federal government may push for.”
The second bill, H.B. 1881, would allow pharmacists to administer vaccines that are recommended by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which can draw upon the expertise of several professional medical societies for recommendation. This bill is being co-sponsored with state Reps. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, Khan, and Kosierowski.
“Recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been where most of our healthcare guidance has come from,” said Venkat. “Now, we are seeing an agency made to protect public health being led by those who do not believe in basic science, purely for political gain. This bill would ensure that Pennsylvanians continue to have access to vaccines through their local pharmacists and pharmacies.”
Venkat’s third bill approved this week, H.B. 980, would update the membership of the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy to include a second pharmacist working in hospitals and health services and a pharmacy technician, increasing professional representation from five to seven. This bipartisan legislation is co-sponsored with state Rep. Andrew Kuzma, R-Allegheny/Washington.
“The addition of a health system pharmacist to the State Board of Pharmacy will strengthen the knowledge and perspectives driving our public health,” said Venkat. “This will translate into the implementation of more informed, inclusive and insightful oversight of the pharmacy practice in Pennsylvania.
“As an emergency room physician, I have seen firsthand how vaccines and the work of pharmacists can save lives. I can think of no greater responsibility we have as legislators than to protect the public health of our fellow Pennsylvanians.”
House Bill 1828 was reported out of the House Insurance Committee, and H.B. 1881 and H.B. 980 were reported out of the House Professional Licensure Committee. These bills will now advance to consideration by the full House.