HARRISBURG, June 11 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, has introduced a bill that would help Pennsylvanians access the consultations and care they need, while keeping the price of this treatment low. Powell’s legislation ( H.B. 2385 ) would mandate that consultations between doctors, often done virtually, are covered under health insurances policies statewide. “The collective knowledge of more than one medical professional is often vital when our neighbors receive care. Interprofessional consultations are one tool physicians employ to effectively diagnose and treat patients,” Powell said. “This bill would help ensure that costs facing patients are reduced and would provide better peace of mind on the path to recovery. The burden of scheduling additional doctor appointments would also be removed and save patients considerable time and money.” The bill has been referred to the PA House Insurance Committee. A related bill Powell has introduced would prohibit employers in Pennsylvania from denying medical benefits to workers who are on strike. That legislation is co-sponsored by state Rep. Dan Miller, D-Allegheny. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 10 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell’s bill that would help keep individuals and families in their homes passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives today. The legislation, H.B. 1064, would update the Tax Increment Financing Act and allow TIF districts to fund affordable housing, foreclosure and rental assistance, and workforce programs with funds collected from the implementation of the act. The bill would also increase the lifespan of TIF districts from 20 to 25 years, allowing more revenue generated from these projects to ensure development is equitable and to support homeowners who may be impacted by resulting property tax increases. “These commonsense changes to the TIF Act are investments not only in the economic health and viability of neighborhoods but are investments in our neighbors who call these communities home,” said Powell, D-Allegheny. “Strengthening our community bonds and supporting residents is a bipartisan issue, and I'm glad my colleagues on both sides recognized the need for these protections.” TIF districts are communities deemed “blighted” or “distressed” and coordinated through a partnership with a city and its respective county and school districts. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration. Read more
State lawmaker convenes local officials, owners of closed mall to discuss redevelopment Read more
HARRISBURG, June 6 – Building on their strong record of propelling initiatives aimed to assist Pennsylvania families, state Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, and state Rep. Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware, announced today that their legislation that would create a state program providing “Welcome Baby” kits to new moms and parents passed the Pennsylvania House. House Bill 2137 would establish a new state program to help ease the financial and emotional stress new moms and parents face by providing them with maternal and newborn supply kits and connecting them to additional support programs available at the state and county levels. “I believe that the arrival of a newborn should be a time of joy and hope, not stress and uncertainty,” said Mayes, D-Allegheny. “Our legislation would ensure that these families receive the support they need during this transformative time. “The Maternal and Newborn Supply Kit program addresses the social determinants of health like having a low income which can impact a person’s health outcomes. For new moms and parents, these kits are part an answer to combat the driving forces of maternal mortality and morbidity and a lifeline for struggling new families.” I stand firmly committed to advocating for policies that provide parents with the necessary resources to nurture their child from day one.” “Welcoming Read more
HARRISBURG, June 5 – State Rep. Aerion Abney, D-Allegheny, has introduced a bill that would exclude one portion of a person’s potential revenue when determining their financial eligibility for senior prescription programs in Pennsylvania. Abney’s legislation ( H.B. 2378 ) would not count the total dollar amount, including face value and interest earned, of savings bonds as part of an older Pennsylvanian’s income when they apply for either the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly or PACE Needs Enhancement Tier, otherwise known as PACE and PACENET. “Ever rising prescription drug costs have resulted in many seniors cashing in their savings bonds in order to afford the medications they need on a daily basis,” Abney said. “Our older neighbors should not risk disqualification from PACE or PACENET coverage simply because such transactions take place, and my bill would help ensure they remain enrolled.” PACE is funded entirely by the Pennsylvania Lottery and has helped more than 1.6 million PA seniors pay for more than 360 million prescriptions. PACE and PACENET currently serve more than 250,000 older Pennsylvanians. The bill has been referred to the PA House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee. Read more
Call for state Senate to act on legislation to fight hair discrimination Read more
HARRISBURG, June 4 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s bill that would require health insurers to offer multiple payment options to in-network health care providers for payment for clinical services and disclose any associated fees with each method of payment passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with bipartisan support today. The legislation, H.B. 1867 , would eliminate electronic credit card reimbursements being the sole method of payment and allow health care providers to choose the payment option best suited to their needs. Electronic credit card reimbursements with mandatory fees would only be permitted if the in-network health care provider agrees to that arrangement. “Today, PA doctors, nurses and medical professionals alike are a step closer to receiving the full compensation they deserve for the high quality of care they provide every day,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their affirmative votes, both as a fellow legislator and as a practicing physician.” According to a ProPublica article , almost 60% of medical practices said they were compelled to pay fees for electronic payment at least some of the time. These fees can cost larger medical practices $1 million a year, and small clinics can lose as much as $100,000 due to the fees. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration. Read more
BRADDOCK, June 4 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury is reminding district residents that lifesaving fentanyl test strips are available for free from her district office and public libraries throughout the 34 th Legislative District. “Not too long ago, I had a heartbreaking visit from a district resident who told me her son had died after taking drugs laced with fentanyl,” Salisbury said. “She asked me to find a way to keep other people from dying the same way. “There are no simple solutions to addiction and the deadly risks adulterated drugs pose, but there is something we can do – we can make folks aware of the lifesaving power of fentanyl test strips and their availability here in the district. I want people to know that they can come to my office or to a public library in the district and get a free kit containing five fentanyl strips – no questions asked. The kits also contain resources on recovery for when people are ready for that step. “While we don’t want folks using illegal drugs, the consequences for doing so should not be death – especially when a tiny piece of paper can prevent it.” Salisbury said that her office can also provide Narcan. Earlier this year at a House Appropriations Committee budget hearing, Salisbury questioned state officials about what they can do to make fentanyl strips more widely available. ### Read more
State funds to revitalize airplane hangers Read more
Pharmacy owners say PBM reform needed to lower drug prices, drive market competition Read more
HARRISBURG, May 30 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell has introduced a resolution that would designate June 15, 2024 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Pennsylvania. “Mistreatment of our senior neighbors is not limited to what we can physically observe. Abuse encompasses psychological, emotional and financial manipulation and is made easier through widespread internet access,” said Powell, D-Allegheny. “They are our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles who were there for us when we needed support. Now, we need to be present for them. We must keep them healthy and safe in their advanced age, and my resolution would help further this important conversation.” At least 10% of adults aged 65 and older will experience some form of elder abuse in a given year, according to one statistic compiled by the U.S. Department of Justice. In Pennsylvania , reports of elder abuse rose from 39,820 cases in fiscal year 2020-21 to 44,352 cases in fiscal year 2021-22. The resolution ( H.R. 453 ) was referred to the PA House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee, of which Powell is a member. Read more
Newly listed grant programs Read more
BRADDOCK, May 24 – Two district food pantries are receiving nearly $100,000 in new funding to help them better serve the community, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said the funding awarded by the state Department of Agriculture includes $50,000 to Rankin Christian Center and $49,360 to Swissvale Cares. “Our food bank programs and the volunteers who staff them have a critical connection to our community,” Salisbury said. “The new funding to Rankin Christian Center and Swissvale Cares will help these terrific nonprofits as they work to safely store and distribute fresh, nutritious food to as many families as possible.” The funding was awarded through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Reach and Resiliency Grants. More information is available here: https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Agriculture_details.aspx?newsid=1392#:~:text=%E2%80%8BHarrisburg%2C%20PA%20%E2%80%93%20Today%2C,TEFAP)%20Reach%20and%20Resiliency%20Grants . Read more
BRADDOCK, May 24 – A $25,000 grant to the Turtle Creek Valley Council of Governments will enhance an important blight-fighting tool for the region, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said the grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development will allow the council to expand its use of the blight-fighting software CodeNForce. “Blight isn’t just unsightly – it can pose health hazards to residents,” Salisbury said. “But we don’t have to stand by and let it happen. We can make inroads by attacking blight with a variety of tools and strategies, including my legislation that would allow local governments to refer severely blighted parcels for acquisition by land banks. “The new funding will give us another powerful tool in our toolbox by expanding the council’s use of code enforcement software that allows officials to identify owners and managers of blighted parcels, track prior violations and share that data across boundaries.” “Good code enforcement is about one thing: making our community a safe, healthy place to live,” said Amanda Settelmaier, executive director of the Turtle Creek Valley Council of Governments. “This funding is going to directly benefit residents by empowering local officials to work together toward that goal. “It couldn’t be more timely, with the growing trend of out-of-town LLCs buying properties in Read more
Newly listed state grant programs Read more
HARRISBURG, May 23 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, has introduced legislation that would prohibit travel service websites from hiking prices at the last minute and moments before customers in Pennsylvania make their payment. The bill ( H.B. 2321 ) would forbid travel services, defined as any form of transportation that is available to the public for purchase through an Internet website or application, from changing service prices for at least 30 minutes from when the consumer first visits the Internet website. If a price change must be instituted, however, the travel service would be required to inform customers five minutes prior to the 30-minute window expiring. “Travel companies playing a game of bait-and-switch with prospective consumers is not only deceptive at face value, but they also risk losing considerable revenue due to such tactics,” Venkat said. “The bottom line is that people want to pay the price advertised on a given website, and my bill would benefit both the individuals looking to travel and the companies who market those opportunities.” Read more
BRADDOCK, May 22 – A $298,004 grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development will support a project by Gwen’s Girls to renovate the Rochez Building in Wilkinsburg, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said the grant will allow the nonprofit social services organization to relocate to the building and expand its programs and services for young girls and women. “Gwen’s Girls is an amazing group that provides a whole range of resources to empower girls and young women, from behavioral and mental health services to academic and career-based learning,” Salisbury said. “When the group outgrew its existing space, they purchased the Rochez Building and will be able to relocate there once it has been renovated. The move is going to allow them to serve more young women, expand programs and resources and even add a STEM lab. “I’m thrilled we were able to help secure new funding and thankful to both DCED and the local partners who worked to make this happen. It’s the best kind of project – one that will help more people thrive while also addressing blight in the business district.” The funding is part of a package of grants awarded under the Keystone Communities Program. More information is available here: Read more
HARRISBURG, May 22 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, has introduced a bill that would establish timelines for Medical Assistance applications to be approved or renewed for eligible individuals transitioning to long-term care facilities and compensate those facilities for all services provided during the application processing period. Per H.B. 2320 , the state Department of Human Services and county assistance offices would not only need to meet said benchmarks, but long-term care facilities could receive part of the funds owed to them faster and request a status update on an application(s) that is pending. The department could also end reimbursement to those facilities if a person’s Medical Assistance request is denied and claw back any previous interim payments in such circumstances. “The goodwill of certain long-term care facilities to provide essential care and services to residents while their eligibility for Medical Assistance is determined must be a two-way street,” Venkat said. “These institutions themselves literally cannot afford to remain in perpetual limbo and face the real prospect of losing hundreds of thousands of dollars because of delays in Medical Assistance eligibility determinations. As a physician-legislator, I’m committed to keeping long-term facilities financially viable and capable of doing their great work every day.” Venkat has also introduced legislation (H.B. 1867 ) that would require health Read more
HARRISBURG, May 22 – State Reps. Lindsay Powell and Nick Pisciottano, both D-Allegheny, today introduced legislation aimed at growing green energy jobs across Pennsylvania while ensuring a just transition for fossil fuel industry workers. House Bill 2315 would establish the Promotion of Renewable Opportunities, Supporting People, Employment & Resilience (PROSPER) Tax Credit to incentivize the creation of sustainable energy jobs in Pennsylvania, with a focus on regions grappling with high unemployment rates within the natural-resources and mining sectors. “The urgency to shift toward sustainable energy sources is undeniable, but we must ensure that no worker is left behind in this transition," Powell said. "We have a tremendous opportunity to position Pennsylvania as a leader in the transition to renewable energy. The PROSPER Tax Credit is our commitment to supporting workers who have long relied on the fossil fuel industry, while simultaneously fostering the growth of green energy jobs in our state.” “So many families in southwestern Pennsylvania rely on jobs in the natural gas and mining industries,” Pisciottano said. “Legislation like this is key to helping these workers keep earning a paycheck as our economy shifts away from fossil fuels. Industries changing over time is inevitable, but our dedication to pursuing policies that support working people is unwavering.” Read more
“If we actually care about democracy, we must lead the charge in safeguarding all residents have equal access to the ballot,” state Rep. Aerion Abney said. “Promoting measures to eliminate voter intimidation and opening up access – like other states have already done, including same-day registration and early voting – are proven methods to guarantee diversity in the democratic process and all people have an opportunity to have their voice heard.” Read more
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