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Venkat, Flick’s bipartisan legislation to raise awareness on opioid overdoses and save lives passes House with a near unanimous vote

(Apr 22, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat

HARRISBURG, April 22 – State Reps. Arvind Venkat and Jamie Flick’s bipartisan bill that would create and disseminate materials integral to recognizing the signs of an opioid overdose and inform Pennsylvanians how to save the lives of their fellow citizens passed the Pennsylvania House 195-8 today. House Bill 269 would require PA’s Department of Health to develop a poster explaining: the signs of an opioid-related overdose. what to do in the event of an opioid-related overdose. where to find an opioid antagonist such as Naloxone. where to find additional resources and information. The poster would be made available online to download for private use and displayed in public places to increase awareness of how to recognize and respond to opioid-related overdoses. “The adage that ‘a little knowledge goes a long way’ may not be put into practice more profoundly than when it comes to saving someone’s life,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “Our legislation does exactly that and seeks to limit the future harm of a deadly and still ongoing opioid epidemic. “Rep. Flick has been a great partner on this legislation, and I want to thank him and my House colleagues for their support. I also want to thank the Stop the Judgment Project , led by neighbors of mine in Franklin Park. I remain committed to doing everything in my power to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives in the opioid epidemic Read more

 

Venkat's medical debt relief bill amended, now focused on financial-aid access instead

(Apr 10, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat

A state House bill that originally sought to relieve some Pennsylvanians’ medical debt now has a different goal: making it easier for those in need to access health care financial-aid programs. Read more

 

Venkat legislation with bipartisan co-sponsors to help Pennsylvanians avoid medical debt advances out of committee unanimously

(Apr 09, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat

HARRISBURG, April 9 – State Reps. Arvind Venkat, Nate Davidson, Tarik Khan, Bridget M. Kosierowski, Andrew Kuzma, Jim Rigby and Tim Twardzik’s bill that would aid Commonwealth residents with avoiding medical debt was voted out of the Pennsylvania House Health Committee unanimously today. House Bill 79, originally introduced as a measure to create the PA Medical Debt Relief Program, was amended to focus on consistent transparency for hospital-based financial assistance policies and programs. “Countless individuals receive outstanding care through Pennsylvania hospitals every day, but too often, patients do not know if they might be eligible for existing hospital-based financial assistance programs -- resulting in medical debt. With this legislation, we can ensure all Pennsylvanians who might be eligible can understand how to access hospital-based financial assistance,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “I want to thank my co-prime sponsors for their continued support and look forward to moving this bill through the legislature to increase health care affordability in the Commonwealth.” In H.B. 79’s updated form, the PA Department of Health would develop standardized financial assistance forms. These forms, based on input from hospitals and the general public, would reflect an individual hospital’s financial assistance programs. Additionally, they would be shared with patients upon admittance and discharge at all Read more

 

Health Committee Voting Packet - April 9, 2025

(Apr 09, 2025) Health

Health Committee Voting Packet - April 9, 2025 Read more

 

Powell, Howard, Daley & Shusterman advocate for reproductive rights in Harrisburg

(Apr 07, 2025) Rep. Melissa Shusterman, Rep. Kristine C. Howard

HARRISBURG, April 7 – State Reps. Lindsay Powell, Kristine C. Howard, Mary Jo Daley and Melissa Shusterman rallied for reproductive rights today in the state Capitol Rotunda, alongside Planned Parenthood PA advocates. “In this post-Roe era, the blurred lines between legality and restriction have dangerously entangled law, politics and human life,” Powell, D-Allegheny, said. “Elected officials take an oath of office to defend the rights of the people, not strip them away for the sake of political agendas. This is a battle we cannot afford to lose.” “While abortion remains legal in Pennsylvania, it is heavily regulated by the Abortion Control Act, a Reagan-era law that became the playbook for abortion restrictions nationwide,” Howard, D-Chester, added. “My legislation, the Reproductive Freedom Act , would eliminate this law and replace it with a much more perfect statutory scheme, a more rational and compassionate model positioning Pennsylvania as a leader in reproductive rights.” "Our state must be a place where personal freedoms are protected and where every resident can access health care without interference," Daley, D-Montgomery, and co-chair of the PA Women's Health Caucus, said. "By supporting these safeguards, we affirm our shared commitment to personal liberty, civil discourse and the protection of every Pennsylvanian’s right to seek care safely and freely." “We Read more

 

Venkat, Cerrato, Giral, Kosierowski, Marcell, Mihalek, Shaffer, & Warner introduce bipartisan legislation to update statutes on the use of epinephrine to treat serious allergic reactions and anaphylaxis

(Apr 02, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat, Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

HARRISBURG, April 2 – State Reps. Arvind Venkat, Melissa Cerrato, Jose Giral, Bridget M. Kosierowski, Kristin Marcell, Natalie Mihalek, Jeremy Shaffer and Ryan Warner have introduced two bipartisan bills that would ensure all Food and Drug Administration-approved formulations of epinephrine – used to treat serious allergic reactions and anaphylaxis – can be administered in Pennsylvania schools and other settings as currently codified in state law. The legislative package (H.B.s 1043 and 1044 ) would replace “epinephrine auto-injector” with “epinephrine delivery system” in current statutes related to the use of epinephrine under state law. In August 2024, the FDA approved a nasal formulation of epinephrine for treatment of serious allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, necessitating an update of current state law. “A quick and decisive response often means the difference between life and death for patients suffering from an allergic reaction, and epinephrine is the definitive treatment for this serious or even life-threatening condition. By making a simple change in statutory terminology, other FDA-approved formulations of epinephrine will be recognized under Pennsylvania law and ensure that we can rapidly treat serious allergic reactions or anaphylaxis in schools and other settings across the Commonwealth,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “I’m so grateful to all my legislative partners for their collaboration Read more

 

Venkat and Kuzma introduce bipartisan legislation to give pharmaceutical professionals greater representation on PA board

(Mar 26, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat

HARRISBURG, March 26 – State Reps. Arvind Venkat and Andrew Kuzma have introduced a bipartisan bill that would update the membership of the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy . The legislation ( H.B. 980 ) would add a second pharmacist working in hospitals and health systems and a pharmacy technician to the board, increasing professional representation from five to seven. “Adding these medical specialists to the state pharmacy board strengthens its pool of knowledge and widens its scope of perspectives. This translates into the implementation of more informed, inclusive and insightful oversight of pharmacy practice in Pennsylvania,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “Thank you to Rep. Kuzma for partnering with me on this legislation that would give pharmacists across the Commonwealth more tools and resources to meet the needs of patients.” “By adding professional representation to the board, a wider variety of viewpoints can be weighed when making decisions and implementing policies,” Kuzma, R-Allegheny/Washington, added. “I’m pleased to join with Rep. Venkat on this matter. We are committed to bipartisan efforts to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians.” House Bill 980 amends the Pharmacy Act of 1961 and has been referred to the PA House Professional Licensure Committee. Read more

 

Venkat, Friel, Kosierowski, and Mehaffie introduce bipartisan legislation to hold health insurers accountable for denying reimbursement claims

(Mar 24, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat, Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski

HARRISBURG, March 24 – State Reps. Arvind Venkat, Paul Friel, Bridget M. Kosierowski and Tom Mehaffie have introduced a bipartisan bill that would hold health insurance companies accountable if they systematically fail to reimburse Pennsylvanians receiving medically necessary care. The legislation ( H.B. 966 ) would require health insurers to issue a public report on the frequency of rejected claims that are overturned on appeal and pay escalating fines if more than 50% of their claim denials are overturned on appeal. “A denial rate of over 50% suggests a disturbing pattern of systematically denying coverage for medically necessary care. Not only that, these entities are assuming Commonwealth residents will be deterred by the mountain of red tape necessary to file an appeal,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “Collaborating with bipartisan colleagues on this legislation means more than holding insurers accountable. As an emergency physician, it’s my duty to help patients across the state receive coverage for which they have already paid to maintain and improve their health and well-being.” “An increasing number of people are aware that they can challenge denied health care claims through their insurer and, if necessary, the Insurance Department. However, the appeals process can be lengthy and complex, leading many to forgo it due to the administrative burden involved,” Friel, D-Chester, added. “The potential for Read more

 

Bipartisan bill to attract health care workers to rural PA passes House

(Mar 19, 2025) Rep. Dan B. Frankel

HARRISBURG, March 19 – Republican and Democratic chairs of the House Health Committee Kathy Rapp and Dan Frankel joined forces Wednesday to celebrate the passage of legislation aimed at reducing health care disparities in rural areas by providing grants to health care facilities for the payment of health care workers’ education debt. “Our rural health care providers are in crisis, facing persistent shortages that make it harder for Pennsylvanians to get the care they need,” said Rapp, R-Crawford/Forest/Warren. “This bill is a common-sense solution that benefits both medical professionals and the communities they serve. By easing the financial burden on providers, we can encourage more of them to bring their skills to rural areas, ensuring better access to quality care.” The bill, H.B. 157 , sponsored by Rapp and Frankel, received unanimous approval by the committee on Feb 5, 2025. “When hospitals and clinics in rural areas can’t hire enough health care workers, entire communities suffer,” said Frankel, D-Allegheny. "Patients shouldn’t have to drive long distances just to see a doctor or receive emergency care. This bill prioritizes the people who make health care possible – our frontline providers – so they can continue serving the communities that need them most.” Eligibility for the Rural Health Care Grant Program Under the proposal, Read more

 

Debt from childbirth, other medical care would be relieved under new bill

(Mar 12, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat

Medical debt harms people in different ways. It can lead them to seek payday loans, take money out of their retirement accounts, or delay medical care. Read more

 

Frankel vows action as private equity shuts down Crozer Health hospitals

(Mar 06, 2025) Rep. Dan B. Frankel

HARRISBURG, March 6 – Pennsylvania House Health Committee Chair Dan Frankel condemned the long-anticipated closure of Delaware County’s Crozer Health hospital system on Thursday, vowing to push legislation aimed at preventing similar crises in the future. “These hospitals were ransacked, robbed and plundered for profit, and now their private equity owner gets to ride out of town, leaving communities with diminished access to health care and employment,” Frankel said. “It’s devastating, and we have the power to make sure it doesn’t happen again.” Last year, the House Health Committee passed a bill by Rep. Lisa Borowski that would empower the PA Attorney General to review health care acquisitions before they occur and determine if such sales serve the public interest . The bill was crafted in response to the growing role of private equity in the health care market – and the troubling consequences that have followed . Prospect Medical Holdings bought the then-Crozer Keystone Health System, now Crozer Health, in 2016. In April 2020, the company closed Springfield Hospital and in 2022 ceased operations at Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Upper Darby. The remaining two hospitals will close their doors next week. Frankel pledged to again take up the bill in his committee and to work with Borowski and legislative leaders to fast-track it through the General Assembly. “Medical Read more

 

Pennsylvania officials, medical providers sound alarm over Medicaid cuts

(Mar 06, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat

A Pittsburgh-area state representative joined nonprofit health care advocates Wednesday to respond to a Congressional budget blueprint that tees up major cuts to Medicaid. Pennsylvania Democratic state Rep. Arvind Venkat, who represents the North Hills suburbs, accused congressional Republicans and the Trump administration of slashing Medicaid funding without an explanation to the public. Read more

 

House Health Committee Informational Meeting on Community Health Workers - March 3rd, 2025

(Mar 03, 2025) Health

House Health Committee Informational Meeting on Community Health Workers - March 3rd, 2025 Read more

 

Joint House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and Health Committee Informational Meeting on Avian Influenza - February 26th, 2025

(Feb 25, 2025) Health

Joint House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and Health Committee Informational Meeting on Avian Influenza - February 26th, 2025 Read more

 

Allegheny County lawmakers propose House bill to require food allergy warnings in restaurants

(Feb 10, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat

A bipartisan Pennsylvania House bill on food allergy safety authored by two Allegheny County lawmakers could see a floor vote this week. Read more

 

Two state lawmakers in Allegheny County working on legislation to require restaurants to add allergy warnings

(Feb 10, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat

Two Pennsylvania lawmakers who serve Allegheny County are trying to advance a proposed bill that would require restaurants to add allergy warnings for customers and employees. Read more

 

Venkat and Mihalek food allergy safety bill passes House

(Feb 05, 2025) Rep. Arvind Venkat

HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – State Reps. Arvind Venkat and Natalie Mihalek’s legislation that would promote food allergy safety in multiple ways passed the Pennsylvania House today. House Bill 77 would mandate that menus in restaurants and food establishments contain a disclaimer regarding food allergies and that there are posters to make servers aware of food allergies present in food preparation and staff areas. “This bill would put in place commonsense food safety practices focused on preventing food allergy exposures and, most importantly, saving as many lives as possible,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “Thank you to Rep. Mihalek for her partnership on this legislation and to my fellow House members for putting the lives of Pennsylvanians first with your affirmative votes.” “Food safety continues to be an important topic, and for good reason, as our citizens deserve to have confidence that the food they are eating doesn’t pose a threat. This bill is just one important step in providing that confidence,” added Mihalek, R-Allegheny. “Rep. Venkat has been a strong advocate on this issue, and it was an honor to work with him.” More than 33 million Americans have food allergies, and it is estimated that food allergies lead to 200 deaths per year. Over a 13-year period, nearly half of fatal food allergy reactions were caused by accidental food allergen exposure at a restaurant or other food service Read more

 

Health Committee Voting Packet - February 5th, 2025

(Feb 05, 2025) Health

Health Committee Voting Packet - February 5th, 2025 Read more

 

PA House passes bill protecting healthcare workers from surgical smoke

(Feb 04, 2025) Health

The legislation would ensure that operating rooms utilize surgical smoke evacuation systems to combat the adverse health effects of surgical smoke. Read more

 

Frankel cheers governor’s budget plans for cannabis reform, rural health care and more

(Feb 04, 2025) Frankel

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – Health Committee Chair Dan Frankel praised Gov. Josh Shapiro’s call during Tuesday’s budget address to finally legalize cannabis in Pennsylvania – and to do so in a way that puts Pennsylvanians first. “Very soon, the House Health Committee will hold the first votes in the history of the General Assembly to legalize and regulate cannabis, joining our neighbor states at the same time that we ensure that the benefits are enjoyed by Pennsylvanian communities, workers and businesses,” said Frankel, a prime cosponsor with Rep. Rick Krajewski of a legalization bill they are preparing to introduce . Frankel echoed Shapiro’s statement before the General Assembly, agreeing that Pennsylvania cannot afford to wait, now that 24 other states – including nearly every state that shares a border in Pennsylvania – have already legalized recreational cannabis. “We share the governor's vision of setting up a marketplace that will help small businesses and farms thrive in the long term, even within what we know is a cutthroat industry that heavily favors multi-state operators elsewhere,” Frankel said. The Health Committee held six hearings in the 2023-2024 legislative session to examine the successes and failures of cannabis programs in other states. The resulting bill would work through a hybrid system of bolstered state retail operations, privately owned on-site Read more

 

Venkat, Flick’s bipartisan legislation to raise awareness on opioid overdoses and save lives passes House with a near unanimous vote
Apr 22, 2025

Venkat's medical debt relief bill amended, now focused on financial-aid access instead
Apr 10, 2025

Venkat legislation with bipartisan co-sponsors to help Pennsylvanians avoid medical debt advances out of committee unanimously
Apr 09, 2025

Health Committee Voting Packet - April 9, 2025
Apr 09, 2025

Powell, Howard, Daley & Shusterman advocate for reproductive rights in Harrisburg
Apr 07, 2025

Venkat, Cerrato, Giral, Kosierowski, Marcell, Mihalek, Shaffer, & Warner introduce bipartisan legislation to update statutes on the use of epinephrine to treat serious allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
Apr 02, 2025

Venkat and Kuzma introduce bipartisan legislation to give pharmaceutical professionals greater representation on PA board
Mar 26, 2025

Venkat, Friel, Kosierowski, and Mehaffie introduce bipartisan legislation to hold health insurers accountable for denying reimbursement claims
Mar 24, 2025

Bipartisan bill to attract health care workers to rural PA passes House
Mar 19, 2025

Debt from childbirth, other medical care would be relieved under new bill
Mar 12, 2025

Frankel vows action as private equity shuts down Crozer Health hospitals
Mar 06, 2025

Pennsylvania officials, medical providers sound alarm over Medicaid cuts
Mar 06, 2025

House Health Committee Informational Meeting on Community Health Workers - March 3rd, 2025
Mar 03, 2025

Joint House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and Health Committee Informational Meeting on Avian Influenza - February 26th, 2025
Feb 25, 2025

Allegheny County lawmakers propose House bill to require food allergy warnings in restaurants
Feb 10, 2025

Two state lawmakers in Allegheny County working on legislation to require restaurants to add allergy warnings
Feb 10, 2025

Venkat and Mihalek food allergy safety bill passes House
Feb 05, 2025

Health Committee Voting Packet - February 5th, 2025
Feb 05, 2025

PA House passes bill protecting healthcare workers from surgical smoke
Feb 04, 2025

Frankel cheers governor’s budget plans for cannabis reform, rural health care and more
Feb 04, 2025