HARRISBURG, Oct. 3 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today introduced legislation (H.B. 2618) designed to prevent confusion when patients receive insurance reimbursement checks for ambulance services. According to Ciresi, many people receiving these payments from their insurance company in the mail misspend the funds, not realizing the money is to pay for an ambulance ride or other EMS services and are then liable for delayed or missed payments to the EMS provider, collection efforts, or even theft charges. Ciresi stressed that EMS providers are losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in needed revenue as a result of this confusion and are forced to divert resources to trying to collect that money. “My legislation would resolve this confusion by simply requiring a noticeable, red-colored letter to be included with any insurance reimbursement checks for EMS services sent directly to the patient,” Ciresi said. “The letter would clearly explain the purpose of the check and outline the patient’s responsibilities so that they don’t keep or spend it by mistake. At a time when our EMS agencies are already struggling with funding, they would greatly benefit from this simple solution to a chronic issue that is causing them financial distress.” Read more
A domestic violence prevention group in PA reiterated its support of Rep. Borowski's H.B. 1441, saying it would save lives by allowing victims to escape dangerous living situations. Read more
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE State Rep. Perry Warren D-Bucks County www.pahouse.com/ Warren Warren, Marcell, Santarsiero, Farry welcome champion Newtown Little League team to Capitol HARRISBURG, Oct. 2 – The Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic champion Council Rock Newtown Athletic Association’s Little League 12-and-under baseball team was recognized in both the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Senate for its accomplishments during the 2024 season. The Council Rock Newtown Little League team went 20-2, winning the District 30, Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic region tournaments. As the Mid-Atlantic champion, Council Rock Newtown was one of 10 U.S. teams that earned a spot in the Little League World Series in Williamsport. Council Rock Newtown won two games in the LLWS, finishing fifth among the US entrants. Sens. Steve Santarsiero and Frank Farry and Reps. Perry Warren and Kristin Marcell hosted the champions. Each of the state legislators represents the home of players on the team. “The entire community is proud of the players and coaches,” Warren said. “I went to two of their games in Williamsport and watched the other two games on ABC and ESPN. The players and coaches were fantastic and represented their Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., held a news conference to highlight their legislation, H.B. 1630 , that would create an Office of New Pennsylvanians to support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth. “Generations of immigrants answered Pennsylvania’s welcoming call of opportunity and freedom, making our commonwealth into the powerhouse it is,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Right now, Pennsylvania is betraying its own values by scapegoating immigrant communities with punitive policies that are driving them out of the state although foreign-born workers comprise over 8% of our state’s workforce and pay $3.3 billion yearly in state and local taxes. As our population ages and many residents leave our state for other opportunities, we need skilled workers, entrepreneurs, consumers and community leaders to make sure that Pennsylvania continues to grow and thrive economically, culturally and socially. “Pennsylvania needs an Office of New Pennsylvanians to ensure that these new residents are able to flourish in the commonwealth,” Smith-Wade-El said. “They need to know we have their back.” “Pennsylvania is stronger when we welcome and celebrate immigration,” Hohenstein said. “Our collective ability to come together from all different backgrounds and perspectives for the betterment of the commonwealth is truly wonderful. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – State Rep. Perry Warren has been appointed by House Speaker Joanna McClinton as majority chairman of the PA House of Representatives’ Human Services Committee. The House Human Services Committee addresses issues relating to Pennsylvania's social services, including behavioral health, intellectual disabilities and autism services, medical assistance, and more. It oversees the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. “I am honored that Speaker McClinton has confidence in me and my ability to chair this important committee,” Warren said. “The Human Services Committee through legislation and action addresses important issues facing many Pennsylvania individuals and families.” Warren, D-Bucks, succeeds former Chairman Stephen Kinsey, who resigned from the House this summer to pursue other opportunities. “Representative Warren is a thoughtful leader and a proven collaborator,” McClinton said. “As a legislator he has worked alongside his colleagues and stakeholders to promote policies to keep Pennsylvanians healthy and safe, and his experience and leadership are assets that will make him an effective chairman of the Human Services Committee.” Serving in his fourth term in the House, Warren will continue to serve as vice chair of the House Insurance Read more
Borowski said the legislation would help protect seniors, who are especially vulnerable to deliberately unclear agreements with automatic renewals and methods for ending subscriptions that are hidden on websites or require a phone call. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – In a pivotal moment for health insurance reform, the Pennsylvania House Insurance Committee, chaired by state Rep. Patty Kim, D-Dauphin/Cumberland, has reported out three significant pieces of legislation that promise to protect health insurance coverage if the Affordable Care Act were repealed. House Bill 2562, sponsored by state Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, would prohibit health insurance policies from establishing annual or lifetime dollar limits on essential health care, such as emergency care, maternity and newborn care, and mental health services. By removing these caps, the legislation would ensure that Pennsylvanians have comprehensive and uninterrupted coverage for essential health services. House Bill 2563, sponsored by state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, would allow parents to keep adult children on their health insurance plans until they turn 26. Before the Affordable Care Act became law, many kids turned 18 and were dropped from their parent’s insurance plan. Losing health insurance coverage led to many young healthy individuals leaving the health insurance market entirely. Because of the lack of healthy individuals to balance out sicker policyholders, insurance premiums became unaffordable for many young people. House Bill 2564, sponsored by state Rep. Jim Haddock, D-Luzerne/Lackawanna, would prohibit health insurers from denying or excluding coverage for preexisting conditions. This Read more
COATESVILLE, Sept. 27 – Regional southeastern Pennsylvania organizations with branches in Chester County will receive $1,596,635 in state funding to create and expand apprenticeship programs, state Rep. Dan Williams announced today. “This nearly $1.6 million in state funding will help young people gain critical workforce skills while earning a paycheck in these in-demand fields in Chester County such as the medical, biomedical and transportation industries,” Williams said. “The new and expanded apprenticeship programs are a win-win for our jobseekers and employers alike. They will provide opportunities for talented young people to be trained in lucrative, growing fields and for companies to fill critical positions with highly qualified individuals from a diverse talent pool.” The funding will be allocated to the following organizations: $600,000 to Drexel University for its existing registered apprenticeship, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, and will leverage LPN and RN bridge models to build and register an Associate of Registered Nurse program. Drexel University works in partnership with the Chester County Intermediate Unit. $596,989.70 for the Wistar Institute to expand its Biomedical Technician Training program to create a sustainable apprenticeship network for Quality Control Analysts. This program is available for students at Delaware County Community College, which serves Chester County. $399,645.26 for the Southeastern Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 19 – State Rep. Carol Hill-Evans today issued a strong call to action regarding the health and well-being of children across the commonwealth. In a statement underscoring the importance of providing comprehensive health care coverage for every child, she applauded the significant efforts of Family First Health, a local health care provider dedicated to ensuring children in schools are connected with the care they need. “Our children are the future of Pennsylvania, and we owe it to them to make sure they have access to high-quality health care from an early age,” said Hill-Evans, D-York. “No child should go without the medical care they need, and it is our responsibility as policymakers, parents and community members to create a system that guarantees health coverage for every child.” In Pennsylvania, thousands of children face the daily challenge of inadequate health care, a barrier that hinders their academic performance and long-term development. Hill-Evans emphasized that healthy children are better learners, and access to routine checkups, vaccinations, dental care and mental health services is crucial for every student’s success. “Health care is not just about treating illnesses but about fostering an environment where children can thrive both in and outside the classroom,” she said. “When children are healthy, they are better able to focus, participate and Read more
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE State Rep. Jim Prokopiak D-Bucks County www.pahouse.com/ Prokopiak Prokopiak testifies in support of property tax freeze HARRISBURG, Sept. 18 – State Rep. Jim Prokopiak today testified before the House Finance Committee in support of legislation aimed at freezing property taxes for longtime homeowners. House Bill 2536 , which Prokopiak sponsored, would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to enable the legislature to pass legislation that gives property tax relief to homeowners who have lived in their homes for at least 10 years. This is known as a Longtime Owner-Occupant Program or LOOP. A LOOP gives property tax relief to homeowners who have lived in their homes for at least 10 years by exempting or deferring property tax increases even if their home assessment values increase in future years. The state constitution currently allows for Philadelphia and Allegheny counties to offer a LOOP. Prokopiak's bill would make it possible for the General Assembly to allow LOOPs statewide. “Property tax reform is one of the biggest needs throughout the state and within my district in Bucks County,” Prokopiak said. “LOOPs help longtime homeowners stay in their homes, especially in areas where housing Read more
Joseph "Smiley" Terinoni has raised $50,656 and counting toward events organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Delaware Valley, including his 20-year involvement in its annual bike race, charity bowling events and other organized events. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 16 – Pottstown Borough has received $39,935 in funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to provide for critical law enforcement equipment upgrades and support crime victims, state Rep. Joe Ciresi said. The funds can be used to address the following: improve crime reporting, help law enforcement upgrade equipment, support victims of crime and victim service providers, and support county jail-based medication-assisted treatment for individuals with substance use. “This state funding will address two critical needs: the necessity for better crime reporting and funding to support victims of violent crimes. The FBI has a fantastic reporting system that enables local and state police to track and therefore crack down on crime trends,” Ciresi said. “Thanks to this grant, Pottstown Borough will be able to upgrade its law enforcement equipment so it can report its data to the FBI to get more accurate data so the Pottstown Borough police can do their jobs more efficiently and effectively and Pottstown will be a safer place to live and work.” By upgrading its law enforcement system so it can report crime statistics to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Incident-Based Reporting System, Pottstown Borough will be able to accurately capture and track jurisdiction and state-specific crime trends. Pottstown Borough can use the funding to support victim service providers who aid Pennsylvanians Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 12 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, secured an $80,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for emergency structural repairs at Friendship Ambulance. Friendship Ambulance is the EMS division of the Royersford Fire Department. “When Friendship Ambulance contacted me with their urgent request, I immediately started looking for state funding so that the company could continue to serve our communities,” Ciresi said. “This is an example of government responding as it should to emergency situations – quickly and efficiently. I am glad and proud that I was able to secure this grant without delay so these important repairs can happen, and Friendship Ambulance can continue its focus on the health and well-being of our residents.” “In our time of need, we reached out to state Representative Joe Ciresi,” said George Gilliano, president and director of EMS and chief of EMS Operations. “He came to our aid and was able to secure an $80,000 grant so we could get this emergency repair done as soon as possible.” According to Friendship Ambulance, the concrete used for the main structural support across all three ambulance bays had deteriorated, harming the structural integrity of the building and creating a risk of collapse. With funding secured by this state grant, construction is now underway to replace the concrete with steel beams to re-support the Read more
MEDIA, Sept. 10 -- U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Delaware/Chester/Montgomery, state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, and other members of the PA House Democratic Southeast Delegation celebrated the recent enactment of state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler’s Solar for Schools program Monday morning. Solar for Schools is a new state grant program designed to help school districts across Pennsylvania install solar panels on school grounds or roofs. The grants will cover up to 50% of the cost of solar projects for schools and can be paired with federal funding available through the Inflation Reduction Act. “My colleagues and I in Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act. This provides incentives for schools, nonprofits, and houses of worship to deploy wind, solar, and other renewable energy technologies to generate clean electricity,” Scanlon said. “I'm so excited that decades after I was on the school board, our state legislature, led by Representative Fiedler, stepped up and took this really important step so our school districts can do renovations, implement solar energy and other clean energy options, and reap the savings of those options. The IRA is an essential step, but it can’t be the last step.” "Solar for Schools is not just an opportunity to bring clean energy and good jobs to our school communities. It’s an innovative way to pair state and federal funds to benefit Pennsylvania’s Read more
COATESVILLE, Sept. 9 – Octorara Area School District has been awarded $74,171 to make its schools more environmentally safe thanks to a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, state Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, announced today. “Children in the Octorara School District will be able to learn in a safer and healthier educational environment thanks to this funding brought to them by a Democratic budget,” Williams said. “As a community activist and as a state representative, I have fought long and hard so our children get what they need to succeed, and that begins with learning in a clean and safe facility. Thanks to this funding, the Octorara School District will receive the funding they need to make critical improvements to protect the welfare of students and staff.” The money comes from the state’s Public ?School Environmental ???Repairs Program , made possible by funding Williams voted for in the 2023-24 state budget. Grants under the program can be used by schools to fix environmental hazards in their buildings, including removing lead in water sources and in paint, as well as asbestos and mold removal and remediation. A total of $75 million was available for the competitive grant program, and 109 school districts and technical centers across the state received grants in this round. Projects require a cash match of 50% of total eligible project costs. More information is available on the Department of Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 9 – Chester-Upland, Chichester and Interboro school districts and Delaware County Technical School today were awarded state grant funding to help address environmental hazards in their school buildings, according to state Reps. Carol Kazeem, Leanne Krueger and Dave Delloso, all D-Delaware. Chester Upland School District received $821,912 while Chichester was awarded $1.04 million. Interboro was awarded $290,761. DCTC also received $80,095 for environmental remediation needs in its Aston and Folcroft buildings. The money comes from the state’s Public School Environmental Repairs Program , made possible by funding Krueger, Kazeem and Delloso voted for in the 2023-24 state budget. Grants under the program can be used by schools to fix environmental hazards in their school buildings, including removing lead in water sources and in paint, as well as asbestos and mold removal and remediation. “No student or staff member should have to learn or work in a building full of lead, asbestos and mold, yet this is what many young people and adults across the state -- some right here in Delaware County -- faced with each new school year and for far too long because local tax sources were stretched too thin,” Krueger said. “I fought to include funding to fix and clean up our schools in last year’s state budget and again this year. I am grateful to see schools like Chester-Upland finally get the Read more
Pennsylvania state representatives Lisa Borowski and Jennifer O'Mara said they secured a $40,000 state grant that will be used to buy and install AEDs at all VFW and American Legion posts in Delaware County by the end of the year. The state representatives are partnering with the Newtown Square Fire Company, which will provide VFW staff members with training on how to use AEDs. Read more
“There are places where health care is a luxury across our commonwealth,” state Rep. Lisa Borowski said. “There is a growing number of health care deserts. And this is due to the steady increase of health system consolidations and closures. Sadly, Delaware County is becoming one of those places.” Read more
State Reps. Lisa Borowski and Jennifer O’Mara, along with the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association, will hold a public event at 2 p.m. on Sept. 16 to celebrate a $40,000 grant they helped secure to place automatic external defibrillators in all American Legion and VFW posts in Delaware County. Read more
“It’s one thing to voice your support for veterans. It’s another to demonstrate it,” Rep. Tim Brennan (D-29) said, in a statement. “Time and again, this community demonstrates its respect for the people who have served our country, and I’m proud I get to be a part of that.” Read more
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