Oct. 17 Email: A new law to help emergency responders with PTSI

Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara October 20, 2025 | 9:08 AM

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Dear Neighbor,

On October 29, Act 121 of 2024 takes effect. It’s a particularly important law to me because it provides Workers’ Compensation coverage for emergency responders who sustain post-traumatic stress injuries in the line of duty. I led the effort in the House for this law, and I wrote the language that was included in the final, bipartisan version signed by Gov. Shapiro nearly one year ago.

This law hits very close to home for me. My father was a Philadelphia firefighter who suffered from undiagnosed mental health issues due to the extreme stress and circumstances he experienced on the job. He died by gun suicide when I was 13.

My father certainly wasn’t the only first responder to suffer—an estimated 30% of emergency responders develop behavioral health conditions such as depression and PTSI. In fact, we lose more first responders to suicide than we do to line-of-duty deaths. I’m proud to have honored my father’s memory and fought to enact a law that will help other first responders who need it. I am hopeful Act 121 will save lives, and I thank Gov. Shapiro and all of my colleagues who helped it become law.

My annual Senior Fair is coming up!

I realize how important it is for seniors to have up-to-date information on government services and programs, plus easy access to vaccines, so I’m looking forward to my annual Senior Fair on October 23. It will be from 9 am to noon at the Springfield YMCA, 194 W. Sproul Rd.

You can get your flu shot and COVID vaccine from local pharmacists, so bring your insurance cards. My staff and I will be on hand to answer questions and offer direction on a host of programs and services. For instance, do you have your SEPTA senior card? Are you getting your property tax rebate? We can help with those and more. We’ll have staff from SEPTA and other government agencies in attendance, and we’ll have vendors from home healthcare agencies and local non-profits that serve seniors.

I hope to see you there!

Veterans: You’re invited to my Veterans Breakfast

I appreciate everything our veterans have done in service of our country, so every year I host a Veterans Breakfast as a way to thank them and make sure they have information on all of the services available to them. I will hold this year’s event on Veterans Day, November 11, from 8 am to 10 am at Springfield Country Club.

We’ll have a free breakfast, a brief program, and information about veterans’ services. Call my district office to register at 610-544-9878.

Celebrating World Mental Health Day

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our Mental Health Fair this past weekend, which was just one day after World Mental Health Day! It was a wonderful event, and I am so appreciative of all the organizations who came out to share resources. A special shoutout to ZenCare Express for their partnership on this event!

You can read more about the event here.

Election deadlines: Make your voice heard

Pennsylvania will hold municipal and judicial elections on November 4, so it’s time to consider how to make your voice heard. First, make sure you’re registered—you have until October 20.

If voting in person doesn’t fit your schedule, PA offers dependable vote-by-mail options. The deadline to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot is October 28. Get more info on voting by mail at www.pa.gov.

Shred Event this Saturday!

Don’t forget – my shred event with Senator Kearney is this Saturday, October 18 from 9 am to 12 pm. Stop by the Springfield Mall parking lot, back by the Macy’s, to have up to four boxes of personal documents shredded, electronics without freon or loose batteries securely recycled, or old and unused medications safely disposed of.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

An estimated 319,715 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in the U.S. That’s why I want to remind everyone that early detection saves lives and urge women to take advantage of a FREE mammogram screening on October 30, hosted by the Delaware County Health Department.

For more info, call 484-276-2100 or visit here.

Collecting Toys for Tots this Holiday Season

My office is once again a drop-off location for Toys for Tots! Through December 7, you can drop off new, unwrapped toys to be donated to children in need.

Seniors: Are you eligible for prescription assistance?

PACE and PACENET are the state’s prescription programs that help cover the cost of medication for eligible residents age 65+. There are income limits, which are listed below.

For more information, click here. Or stop by my office and we can help you with eligibility questions or applications.

Vaccine Bill Passes Out of Committee

I've heard from so many folks who are concerned about continued access to vaccines in light of the recent changes in federal policy. That's why I worked with my colleagues Rep. Arvind Venkat, Rep. Tarik Khan, and Rep. Bridget Kosierowski to introduce HB 1881, which would protect the ability of pharmacists to provide vaccines. I'm happy to share that it passed out of the Professional Licensure Committee last week and now heads to the full House for consideration.

You can read more about the legislation here.

Free helpline for grandparents raising grandchildren

With approximately 83,000 grandparents caring for grandchildren in Pennsylvania, the state now has a free statewide helpline for those grandparents to connect with services and legal advice. The PA Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Legal Line can be reached at 1-877-727-7529. It offers help with legal proceedings and information on caregiver support groups.

For more information, visit the Department of Aging website.

A chance at a scholarship to cut the cost of college

The PA Forward Student Loan Program, offered through PHEAA, is holding a $2,500 college scholarship sweepstakes, and it’s easy to enter! Sign up between now and December 15 to receive helpful tips on planning and paying for college. By signing up, you’ll automatically be entered to win one of twelve $2,500 scholarships—with no essay required. Winners will be selected ahead of the fall and spring semesters.

Learn more and enter here.