“These are our former teachers, our children’s teachers, maintenance workers at the schools, public employees who have kept our state government running and the list goes on, who are living under poverty wages," Deasy said. "We made a promise to these folks that while you likely won’t get rich working the jobs you had, you would not go hungry in retirement. The day has come to fulfill that promise." Read more
HARRISBURG, June 26 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s bill, the Medical Debt Relief Act , passed the House of Representatives today with bipartisan support. This bill would establish the Medical Debt Relief Program within the Department of Health to discharge medical debt of eligible residents by contracting with a medical debt relief coordinator. Pennsylvanians would be eligible for relief if they have a household income at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty guidelines or medical debt equal to 5 percent or more of the individual’s household income. Venkat, D-Allegheny, introduced the Medical Debt Relief Act to address the impact medical debt has on the cost and accessibility of health care for patients, providers and the public. “By establishing the Medical Debt Relief Program, we can alleviate medical debt for working Pennsylvanians, improve health care institutions and providers’ finances and reduce the costs for all Pennsylvanians,” Venkat said. “As an emergency physician, I’ve witnessed patients delay medical care due to the rising cost of health care, to the point of dying as a result. Through this bill, it is my hope that we can alleviate Pennsylvanians’ medical debt so that they may receive the health care they need.” The House passed the Medical Debt Relief Act by a vote of 114-89. It now moves to the Senate for consideration. Read more
Bill would create grant program, streamline reporting of underage drinking Read more
Mayes will host the resource fair from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 at Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation’s Community Activity Center, 113 N. Pacific Ave., Pittsburgh. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 14 – Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, introduced a bill today that would add Pennsylvania to the list of states who are members of the Social Work Licensure Compact. The legislation ( H.B. 1841 ) would allow licensed commonwealth social workers or those eligible for a license to apply for the ability to provide their services across multiple states. A comprehensive data system would also be created, so the public could be kept safe and informed with regards to social worker license status and any adverse actions associated with them. “Often an underappreciated profession, an increased demand for social workers became evident through the pandemic and continues as people deal with ongoing traumas,” Abney said. “My bill would be a win-win for social workers seeking employment opportunities and individuals in need of personal and emotional assistance.” Abney holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh. The bill has been referred to the House Professional Licensure Committee. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 14 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury’s bill that would allow employees of licensees in the sales finance industry to work remotely unanimously passed the House Monday. The legislation, H.B. 1580 , applies to workers at licensees who qualify under the Consumer Discount Company Act and the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act. “Fueling the well-being and morale of workers while keeping businesses competitive now moves a step closer to becoming reality,” Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said. “I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting my bill that is a win-win for a prosperous economy and the people who make it possible.” State Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-Schuylkill, is co-sponsoring Salisbury’s legislation, which does not change any requirements pertaining to licensing, examination or regulation by the Department of Banking and Securities. Salisbury’s legislation now heads to the state Senate for consideration. Read more
The bill now heads to the Senate for concurrence. Read more
“As a longtime advocate for Black maternal health and reproductive justice, co-chair of the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus, and a new mother, I applaud the passage of Owen’s Law, which would make breast milk, an important source of nutrition for infants, more accessible for medically fragile infants in need,” Mayes said. “With two-thirds of mothers struggling with breastfeeding, Owen’s Law will provide critical support for mothers and birthing people across our commonwealth.” Read more
MCKEESPORT, Nov. 6 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, and his staff will hold a grand opening from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 in his district office at Tube City Center. Individuals will be able to tour the office and receive information/assistance on state services and state government-related questions and issues. Prospective attendees are encouraged to call Gergely’s office at 412-664-0035 for more information. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 6 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, and his staff will hold a legislative town hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 at Sheraden Senior Center , 720 Sherwood Ave. in Pittsburgh . The town hall will include information about legislation that has recently passed the PA House and an opportunity for residents to discuss the issues most important to them. Interested individuals are encouraged to call Abney’s district office at 412-471-7760 for more information. A light meal will also be served. Read more
A new law will provide key data to improve outcomes for women, especially Black women, who have high rates of maternal morbidity across the state. Read more
Cephas thanked the newly formed caucus for its work and said its members, including state Reps. La’Tasha D. Mayes (D-Allegheny) and Gina Curry (D-Delaware) will be “laser-focused on building on the momentum of the work we’ve done to date and beginning to be the catalyst for the work we will be doing moving forward.” Read more
“The conflict in Israel has Jewish and Muslim Pennsylvanians feeling afraid – afraid to leave home, afraid to practice their faith, afraid to gather with their communities at a time when such events would bring them the most comfort,” said Frankel, D-Allegheny. “The vast majority of Pennsylvanians want this commonwealth to be a welcoming, diverse place for all, and that is the call legislators answered today.” Read more
“As an advocate for Black maternal health and reproductive health, rights and justice, member of the Women’s Health Caucus, and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, I am thankful for Sen. Schwank’s leadership, as well as Rep. Morgan Cephas for introducing the House companion bill, and Gov. Shapiro for acting swiftly to sign S.B. 262 into law,” Mayes said. “This law will provide us with the data to improve maternal health for Pennsylvanians.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 30 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, introduced a bill today that would ensure plasma donated throughout the state is suitable for subsequent use in health and medical forums. The legislation (H.B. 1795 ) would require that source plasma, specifically, undergoes extensive testing upon donation and before it is ultimately integrated into essential pharmaceuticals. Gergely’s bill, co-sponsored by state Rep. Tim Briggs of Montgomery County, would also allow more focus to be devoted to developing such pharmaceuticals by eliminating a signification portion of subsequent testing conducted in labs during the clinical development phase. “Plasma is vital for treating rare diseases, chronic conditions, and emergencies like trauma and burns,” Gergely said. “My bill would help ensure that PA has a safe and sustainable plasma supply necessary for bettering and saving countless lives.” “In a world where plasma can mean the difference between life and death, we cannot afford to hinder the flow of this precious resource,” Briggs added. “By proposing legislation to align Pennsylvania's laws with federal standards for source plasma donation centers, we are taking a crucial step toward ensuring a reliable plasma supply for our state.” In 2017 alone, approximately 30 million liters of source plasma were collected in approximately 40 million procedures in the United States, per a work published Read more
From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, Steele, the American Red Cross, and Hilltop Hose Company No. 3 will distribute the smoke alarms. The American Red Cross and Hilltop Hose Fire Company No. 1 will install the smoke alarms. Residents may register by calling the American Red Cross at 412-263-5278. Read more
PWSA awarded low-interest loans, grant to support water infrastructure Read more
With the general election weeks away, lawmakers and advocates are calling for legislation to better inform incarcerated Pennsylvanians about their right to vote and permit them to vote via absentee ballot. Read more
“By launching this caucus, we may begin to address severe maternal morbidity rates, which are highest for Black, non-Hispanic patients, and significantly reduce maternal mortality in Pennsylvania,” Mayes said. Read more
“In light of the ongoing strike for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette union members and the high concentration of unions in western Pennsylvania, we must protect employees by making them eligible for unemployment compensation,” Steele said. “With this bill, we may ensure employees can continue to provide for themselves and their families.” Read more
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