News Center

Pushing Through for our First Responders

(May 31, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

I’ll never forget the faces of the first responders I met during the earliest days of the pandemic. Those police, firefighter, and EMS workers pulled up in their emergency vehicles in the Citizens Bank Park lot for COVID-19 testing. As they rolled down their windows for me to gently swab their noses, I saw workers with running noses and bloodshot eyes. Most of the first responders I swabbed tested positive. Despite whatever personal fears they may have had in those early days— over 1.1 million Americans ended up dying following their COVID exposures—the look of determination and resolve in their eyes made it clear they wanted to do one thing. Push through and get back to their jobs serving the public. As they did during the pandemic, our police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical service professionals spend their days selflessly responding to traumas. They sign up knowing the risk to their bodies and their lives. But often it’s the trauma to their mental health that often proves the greatest challenge. First responders witness scenes of severe injury and death in the course of their work weeks. And some may witness and experience trauma multiple times a day. It is estimated that as many as 1 in 3 police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel will experience post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI). Persons with PTSI have a 50% chance of developing major Read more

 

Khan Works to Improve Public Transit Safety

(May 22, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

PA state Rep. Tarik Khan celebrates as his public transit safety legislation passes out of committee. The bill which he cosponsors with Rep. Joe Hohenstein, would make state-administered transit security grants available to agencies like SEPTA to ensure the safety of both passengers and employees Read more

 

May 14, 2024 E-Newsletter

(May 14, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

Rep. Khan's E-Newsletter from May 14, 2024. Read more

 

Khan: #HappyNursesWeek

(May 09, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

Celebrating #NursesWeek, PA state Rep. Tarik Khan joins a room full of nurses urging the #PASenate to pass the Parient Safety Act. Read more

 

Khan Recognizes Jewish and Muslim Heritage Months

(May 08, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

Pa. state Rep. Tarik Khan says with so much uncertainty and conflict in the world, we have to embrace opportunities to come together as a community. Khan is proud to have worked with Pa. state Rep. Dan Frankel to officially recognize Jewish and Muslim Heritage Months in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

House adopts resolutions honoring Muslim and Jewish heritages

(May 07, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

HARRISBURG, May 7 – On Monday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives adopted two resolutions: H.R. 352- introduced by state Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., to recognize July 2024 as “Muslim Heritage and Appreciation Month” in Pennsylvania. H.R. 365- introduced by state Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, to recognize May 2024 as “Jewish American Heritage Month” in Pennsylvania. The resolutions were introduced as a package by the two legislators to celebrate both faiths. “Growing up as a Muslim kid in a Jewish neighborhood with a Catholic mom, I saw every day how diversity makes us stronger, better and more empathetic,” Khan said. “To paraphrase Mahatma Gandhi, ‘different religions are beautiful flowers from the same garden,’ and are equally true and majestic. Today’s resolutions are about celebrating these two equally beautiful and magnificent faiths.” “These two great faiths and cultures helped shape the world, and they also help shape almost every community in this commonwealth,” Frankel said. “At a time when conflict abroad has Jewish and Muslim Pennsylvanians feeling vulnerable, it’s more important than ever to create space for cultural education and appreciation.” Khan and Frankel were joined by several colleagues in the introduction of the two pieces of legislation, including state Reps. Read more

 

Reps. O’Mara, Scott, Khan, and Mayor Tuerk call for passage of bill focusing on first responders’ mental health

(May 02, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

“I’ve treated first responders as a family nurse practitioner, and I’ve seen effects of PTSI on their health. Like a broken arm or leg, these injuries need time and support to heal," Khan said. Read more

 

Khan Fights for Capitol Accessibility

(May 02, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

Pa. state Rep. Tarik Khan joined disability advocates, many with mobility issues, from around the Commonwealth as they climb the front steps of the state Capitol. Khan admired the strength of the advocates as they climbed up the steps to point out the lack of access to the Capitol, and says he will continue to fight to make sure people with disabilities have the access they need. Read more

 

Khan Rallies for Full Practice Authority

(May 01, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

As a nurse practitioner himself, Pa. state Rep. Tarik Khan emphasized why it’s critical to adopt full practice authority for nurse practitioners, removing barriers that would allow them to deliver better care to their patients. As it stands, 27 states have adopted full practice authority and the longer Pennsylvania waits to act, the more NPs will leave the state to practice elsewhere. Read more

 

Our Bipartisan Veterans Legislation Helps Give Our Brave Heroes Their Due

(Apr 29, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

Image: Rep Tarik Khan (D, Philadelphia) stands at podium with a bipartisan group of ten state legislators standing behind him in the PA Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, PA A s Printed in the Chestnut Hill Local, East Falls Now, and Roxborough Review By State Representative Tarik Khan As my mom tells it, the neighborhood kids always wanted Dave on their team. Dave’s speed and confidence meant that his team usually won. Dave also constantly cracked jokes, which made those pick-up game’s victory all the sweeter. But after Dave's gallant military service in Vietnam, he told friends he never quite felt like himself. His throat always seemed to itch and tingle. Like a few sips of water might clear it. But never really did. The nagging cough began later, and then seemed to be constant. And although he was always a thriving kid, Dave's cycle of recurrent sinus infections now seemed endless. Dave's respiratory issues and other seemingly unrelated health problems always stumped his doctors. He was tired a lot. His hands and feet constantly tingled. Dave could not conceive children anymore, even though he had kids before the war. Later in adulthood, Dave never seemed to be able to catch a full breath of air. Years after his service, Dave and his many fellow Vietnam veterans learned their array of health problems stemmed from their exposure to Agent Orange. This Read more

 

Khan Restocks Wissahickon Creek

(Apr 25, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

Pa. state Rep. Tarik Khan spent an afternoon with state Rep. Mary Jo Daley along the Wissahickon Creek stocking it full of trout for the upcoming fishing season. Khan stresses the importance of getting outdoors and wishes you the best of luck this fishing season! Read more

 

Khan Recognizes 911 Public Safety Telecommunicators

(Apr 19, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

Pa. state Rep. Tarik Khan spoke about legislation that would reclassify 911 Public Safety Operators as First Responders, which would grant them better benefits, negotiable wages, boost recruitment, and ensure workplace dignity among dispatchers. In many cases, these dispatchers are listening to someone who may be taking their last breath or someone who is witnessing someone else dying. It’s time that 911 dispatchers get the recognition they rightfully deserve. Read more

 

State lawmakers call for support for PA’s telecommunicators

(Apr 17, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

HARRISBURG, April 17 – State Reps. Roni Green and Tarik Khan, both D-Phila., were joined by a bipartisan group of their legislative colleagues, public safety telecommunicators and advocates at the state Capitol today to celebrate “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week” and discuss how the legislature can work to help Pennsylvania’s telecommunicators and 911 dispatchers. The telecommunicators and advocates who were present included Jack Morgan III, 911 operator from Allegheny County; Sara Slote, dispatch manager, Lancaster County 911; Bill Perkins, state constable; Garrett Rienhardt, recipient of life-saving care; Tyler Griffith, dispatcher; AFSCME members; and Gordon Zimmet, Local 1637 president. At the news conference, the legislators discussed a resolution (H.R. 377), introduced by Green that recognizes the week of April 14-20 “Public Safety Telecommunicators Week” in Pennsylvania. The resolution was adopted by the House later in the day. “911 dispatchers are the point of first contact between the caller and first responders. The speed and efficiency with which they work saves lives. They parse through heaps of information in very chaotic situations and support callers during what is often one of the most difficult moments of their lives,” Green said. “It’s time for the commonwealth to give back to 911 dispatchers the kind of support they give us. My daughter worked Read more

 

Khan to introduce bipartisan legislation empowering recovery community organizations

(Apr 10, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

HARRISBURG, April 10 – State Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., today announced he will soon introduce bipartisan legislation to help prevent opioid overdose and support long-term recovery. This legislation would require Medicaid coverage and licensure for recovery community organizations providing peer recovery support services. Recovery community organizations help individuals and their families as they navigate to successful recovery and healthy lifestyles; however, they are currently not a licensable entity type in Pennsylvania, and individuals with substance use disorder only qualify for peer recovery services through Medicaid if they also have a mental illness. “So proud to help lead this effort to increase access to support services for individuals with substance use,” Khan said. “As a nurse practitioner and state legislator, I am committed to supporting recovery community organizations— key allies in increasing recovery and reducing overdoses across the state.” This bill has support from advocates outside the legislature including Robert D. Ashford, executive director for Unity Recovery, and Lauryn Wicks, family member and advocate. "Peer support workers and recovery community organizations are such a critical part of how we respond to substance use and mental health concerns in Pennsylvania,” Ashford said. “This legislation ensures that peers can be paid Read more

 

April 8, 2024 E-Newsletter

(Apr 08, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

Rep. Khan's E-Newsletter from April 8, 2024. Read more

 

Khan: Demand Action on #GhostGun Legislation

(Apr 05, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

PA state Rep. Tarik Khan stands with Philadelphia House Delegation colleagues to urge the #PASenate to take action on pending legislation that would close the ghost gun loophole. Khan says current state laws make it easy for untraceable firearms to end up in the wrong hands and urges every Pennsylvanian to call their state Senator and demand action. Read more

 

Khan Stands in Solidarity with University of Pennsylvania Workers

(Apr 03, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

Pledging #SolidarityForever, PA state Rep. Tarik Khan shows his support for the Coalition of Workers seeking union representation at the University of Pennsylvania. Khan says these workers, like all workers, deserve fair pay, good benefits, and healthy working conditions. Read more

 

Khan Honors Veterans with Two Resolutions

(Mar 28, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

PA state Rep. Tarik Khan joined state Reps. Paul Takac and Brian Munroe in drafting resolutions that would support Pennsylvania veterans by creating a task force to help veterans exposed to toxic chemicals access the programs and care they deserve and honor their service by declaring March 29, 2024, as “Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day” in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

State lawmakers aim to honor and support Pennsylvania veterans

(Mar 27, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

HARRISBURG, March 27 – Today, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers held a news conference at the Capitol touting legislation they’ve introduced to support Pennsylvania veterans exposed to the dangerous herbicide “Agent Orange” and other toxic chemicals during their service, and make March 29 Vietnam Veterans Day in Pennsylvania . This group of lawmakers includes state Reps. Paul Takac, D-Centre; Mike Cabell, R-Luzerne; Brian Munroe, D-Bucks; Dane Watro, R-Schuylkill/Luzerne; Tarik Khan, D-Phila.; Zachary Mako, R-Northampton/Lehigh; Chris Pielli, D-Chester; and Abby Major, R-Armstrong/Westmoreland. Both bills were introduced earlier this year. “We owe all those who have served our country, especially those who have been harmed as a result of their service, not only our profound respect and gratitude but an enduring commitment to serve and support them and their families. That, of course, includes Vietnam-era veterans who were exposed to -- and at the time, unknowingly harmed by -- Agent Orange. As our understanding of the extent of the damage caused by that chemical exposure has grown and evolved, so have the programs and benefits available to those affected,” Takac said. “Since taking office, one of my areas of focus has been ensuring that veterans and their families are aware of and can more easily access all of the benefits and support available to them,” he said. Read more

 

Schlossberg and Khan Offer Opening Prayer

(Mar 27, 2024) Rep. Tarik Khan

Embracing an opportunity to highlight common values and ideals, PA state Reps. Tarik Khan and Mike Schlossberg deliver the opening prayer for the #PAHouse, borrowed from the holy books of Judaism and Islam! Read more

 

Pushing Through for our First Responders
May 31, 2024

Khan Works to Improve Public Transit Safety
May 22, 2024

May 14, 2024 E-Newsletter
May 14, 2024

Khan: #HappyNursesWeek
May 09, 2024

Khan Recognizes Jewish and Muslim Heritage Months
May 08, 2024

House adopts resolutions honoring Muslim and Jewish heritages
May 07, 2024

Reps. O’Mara, Scott, Khan, and Mayor Tuerk call for passage of bill focusing on first responders’ mental health
May 02, 2024

Khan Fights for Capitol Accessibility
May 02, 2024

Khan Rallies for Full Practice Authority
May 01, 2024

Our Bipartisan Veterans Legislation Helps Give Our Brave Heroes Their Due
Apr 29, 2024

Khan Restocks Wissahickon Creek
Apr 25, 2024

Khan Recognizes 911 Public Safety Telecommunicators
Apr 19, 2024

State lawmakers call for support for PA’s telecommunicators
Apr 17, 2024

Khan to introduce bipartisan legislation empowering recovery community organizations
Apr 10, 2024

April 8, 2024 E-Newsletter
Apr 08, 2024

Khan: Demand Action on #GhostGun Legislation
Apr 05, 2024

Khan Stands in Solidarity with University of Pennsylvania Workers
Apr 03, 2024

Khan Honors Veterans with Two Resolutions
Mar 28, 2024

State lawmakers aim to honor and support Pennsylvania veterans
Mar 27, 2024

Schlossberg and Khan Offer Opening Prayer
Mar 27, 2024