“One of the problems we’ve seen with AI is that the data goes into the AI platform, it makes a decision, and it gets spit out, but that decision is only as good as the data being used to train the platform,” Venkat said. “Existing biases are being reinforced by the use of artificial intelligence, and especially in the area of health insurance.” Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Commonwealth Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Who May Apply: State and local organizations, producer associations, academia, community-based organizations, and other eligible specialty crops stakeholders. Use: The purpose of the Program is to enhance, but not replace, the Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program by establishing a Commonwealth Specialty Crop Block Grant Program for specialty crops that are not currently eligible for grant payments under the Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, or that are otherwise designated high-priority specialty crops by the Secretary. Funding for the Program will assist the growth, certification of seed and marketing of these eligible specialty crops. Funds: $460,000 in funding is available. Application Deadline: April 19, 2024 More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others may apply. Use: Strategic business planning to expand or diversify farms or support transition of ownership. Funds: $500,000 in funding is available. Grants shall not exceed $7,500. Application Deadline: Applications will be received until funds are exhausted. More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Recruitment Incentives for Law Enforcement Who May Apply: Local law enforcement Read more
House Bill 78, which lays out the program, was passed last year with bipartisan support including every Democrat and 13 Republicans. A companion bill remains unapproved in the state Senate. Read more
House Democrats on Tuesday renewed their call for passage of a medical debt relief program for Pennsylvania, a concept that recently gained public support from Gov. Josh Shapiro during his budget address. Read more
Pennsylvania lawmakers and advocates call for medical debt relief bill Read more
Grants available as of Tuesday, Feb. 27 Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 27 – Today, state Reps. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., and Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, held a news conference at the State Capitol to discuss the importance of alleviating medical debt for Pennsylvanians who need it most. Last spring, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation ( H.B. 78 ) that would establish the Pennsylvania Medical Debt Repayment Program, which would target the medical debt of low-income Pennsylvanians drowning in it and in need of relief. The legislation is currently sitting in the PA Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Medical debt relief is also a top priority for Gov. Josh Shapiro who, in his state budget address for the 2024-25 fiscal year, proposed investing $4 million to wipe it out for thousands of Pennsylvanians. State officials estimate that roughly 1 million Pennsylvanians carry some amount of medical debt. As of Dec. 2020, Pennsylvanians collectively share more than $1.8 billion in medical debt in a collections stage. “The toll of medical debt is staggering, with some reports showing that nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have gone into debt due to healthcare costs,” Khan said. “Medical debt makes us sicker because it prevents people from seeking preventative care and in some cases skipping healthcare services all together. It’s time the legislature addresses this issue that plagues countless Pennsylvanians.” Read more
"The legislation that we passed today, House Bill 1869, would require restaurants in our commonwealth to have a display for their employees in a written manner about food allergies," said Venkat. Read more
"I think too often we think of public transit as an urban issue. As someone who represents suburban communities, I really want to learn more about how we can be an integrated region. Because that's when we have a thriving economy for everyone," Rep. Arvind Venkat said. Read more
Venkat’s bill passed the state House 114-89 without a specific price tag attached but hasn’t advanced in the GOP-controlled state Senate. The future of Shapiro’s proposal is tied up in the coming budget debate. Read more
“With this grant, we ensure that students at the A.W. Beattie Career Center have access to equipment of the highest quality while they continue their education,” Venkat said. “As more than 8.3 million high school students participate in career and technical education programs across the U.S., we have the opportunity to ensure students from the Avonworth, Hampton, and North Allegheny school districts and many others across Allegheny County are prepared to enter into the workforce, in turn boosting Pennsylvania’s economy. I’m proud to have such an innovative career and technical center in McCandless.” Read more
“In the U.S., emergency physicians treat approximately 3.4 million patients for allergic reactions to food,” Venkat said. “I introduced this legislation after speaking to my constituent, Kathy Briden, whose son Matthew died after accidentally being exposed to peanuts while eating at a restaurant. As an emergency physician, I treated patients experiencing allergic reactions, and we must improve food safety at restaurants to prevent deaths such as Matthew’s.” Read more
The award was through the Department of Community and Economic Development, which Hawk applied for with the assistance of state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-McCandless. Read more
Read more
“By allocating these grants, we ensure that our EMS providers and firefighters have the ability to operate,” Venkat said. “Our EMS providers and firefighters work to save lives, and this funding will allow them to continue their crucial work.” Read more
We're talking about the issues that matter to the people of Allegheny County. Read more
“Through this funding, we will have the opportunity to keep McCandless’ roads safer by equipping the McCandless Police Department and its officers with cameras to read license plates,” Venkat said. “This will ensure that our police officers have the most up to date equipment while patrolling the community.” Read more
One of the most striking aspects of the budget is the proposal to use $4 million in taxpayer money to clear up to $400 million in medical debt for Pennsylvania's poorest residents. This plan mirrors a bill introduced by state Rep. Arvind Venkat and aims to alleviate the financial burden of medical debt, which can negatively impact credit scores and financial stability. Read more
In light of this, some states are proposing measures aimed at alleviating medical debt. For example, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has proposed a budget plan to clear up to $400 million in medical debt, targeting the state’s poorest and most underwater residents. This proposal mirrors a bill introduced by state Representative Arvind Venkat, aiming to contract with a medical debt relief coordinator to locate and buy outstanding bills. Despite being backed by advocacy groups, the proposal’s future is up for debate, with some expressing concerns about high spending in the proposed budget. Read more
Shapiro’s proposal mirrors a bill introduced by state Rep. Arvind Venkat (D., Allegheny), a practicing emergency room doctor. Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates...
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.
Please use the form below to email Rep. Arvind Venkat.
Thank you. Your feedback has been sent.
9800B McKnight Road, Suite 130Pittsburgh, PA 15237-6020
P*: (412) 348-8028P: (833) 321-5520
F*: (412) 348-8026
Hours of Operation - Monday: 9am-5pm Tuesday: 9am-5pm Wednesday: 9am-5pm Thursday: 9am-5pm Friday: 9am-4pm
Emsworth Borough Building171 Center AvenueEmsworth, PA 15202-1598
Hours of Operation - 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
101 B East WingPO Box 202030Harrisburg, PA 17120
P*: (717) 772-2363
F*: (717) 780-6023