“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
“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
Grants available as of Thursday, Feb. 8 Read more
“Everybody agrees that medical debt is a bad thing. Unlike a loan for college or mortgage debt, no one takes it on willingly. It comes on when you least expect it,” said Venkat, a Pittsburgh-area emergency room physician and the lone legislator-physician currently elected to the General Assembly. Read more
“In our commonwealth, more than 10% of Pennsylvanians have an average of $1,473 in medical debt in collections, which prevents them from accessing health care, as well as contributes to their financial burdens,” Venkat said. “As a practicing emergency physician, I treated a woman who delayed breast cancer treatment due to medical debt. As a result, the cancer spread, and she died. By alleviating medical debt as part of the 2024-25 budget, we can ensure patients have access to necessary medical treatment, aid providers with struggling finances, and reduce health care cost pressures that affect all of us. This is a win for all Pennsylvanians.” Read more
Grants available as of Tuesday, Jan. 30 Read more
Grants available as of Tuesday, Jan. 23 Read more
“On the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we recognize that while abortion remains legal in Pennsylvania, access to abortion and reproductive health care is under attack,” Venkat said. “As an emergency physician, I once treated a patient who nearly lost their life to a back-alley abortion. If we continue to criminalize access to abortions, we risk the lives of more and more Americans. We must continue to protect patients’ rights to reproductive healthcare by ensuring access to abortions and keeping the decision to seek reproductive health care between the patient and their physician.” Read more
“As new technology continues to emerge, we must raise awareness of data privacy to ensure Pennsylvanians have knowledge about the data being collected and relevant policies and laws,” Venkat said. “With this resolution, we will do just that.” Read more
“With these six grants, we have the opportunity to improve services that residents regularly utilize, as well as enhance our environment,” Venkat said. “By investing in our economy and recreational facilities, as well as capping an abandoned well in the Toms Run and Tippery Meadows Natural Area, we will make improvements in the quality of life of residents of our community.” Read more
Grants available as of Tuesday, Jan. 16 Read more
“Low-income students face financial issues with paying for higher education, but also accessing affordable food while balancing their coursework,” Venkat said. “When students feel hungry, their academic performance falters. To help students succeed in their pursuit of higher education, La Roche University will receive state grant funding to combat food insecurity, benefiting hundreds of students in McCandless.” Read more
Grants available as of Tuesday, Jan. 9 Read more
Venkat’s bill was overwhelmingly approved by the state House in late June, receiving support from every Democrat and 13 Republicans. Read more
Grants available as of Wednesday, Jan. 3 Read more
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