HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – The Pennsylvania House today passed bipartisan legislation that would regulate the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare, ensuring that all Pennsylvanians can have confidence that AI is being utilized in a beneficial manner when receiving clinical care or when insurers are reviewing coverage of specific healthcare recommendations, announced the legislation's co-prime sponsors, state Reps. Arvind Venkat, Joe Hogan, Tarik Khan, Bridget Kosierowski and Greg Scott. House Bill 1925 would provide new regulations for how AI is utilized and reported by insurers, hospitals and clinicians. These groups would need to provide transparency to patients and the public as to how AI is being used in their companies or practice settings. "The usage of AI is expanding rapidly into nearly every field, and healthcare is no exception," said Venkat, D-Allegheny . "As the General Assembly's only physician, I have seen this development take place in real time. It is vital that patients are confident that AI is being used responsibly and effectively in their care. I thank my House colleagues who partnered on this legislation and helped it to pass in a bipartisan manner. Protecting trust in our healthcare system is vital to the safety and future of all Pennsylvanians." "Patients deserve to know when artificial intelligence is involved in their healthcare, and they should have full Read more
House Health Committee Voting Meeting Packet - September 29, 2026 Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 10 – Following the release of new enrollment numbers under PENNIE, Pennsylvania’s health insurance marketplace, which show significant disenrollments to date in 2026, state Reps. Jen Mazzocco, Arvind Venkat and Steve Samuelson are calling for action on their legislation to increase affordable healthcare coverage in the state. As of September 2026, 417,000 people are enrolled in PENNIE. In the last nine months, following federal inaction to renew enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, 202,000 people disenrolled. From 2021 to 2025, PENNIE enrollment grew by 150,000, and now net enrollment is down more than 75,000. The legislators introduced H.B. 2550 , legislation that would create a state tax credit for small businesses that contribute to their employees’ health coverage. The bill passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support and awaits consideration in the Senate Finance Committee. “It’s disheartening to see even more Pennsylvanians losing their health insurance,” said Mazzocco , prime sponsor of the legislation. “No one in the commonwealth should have to disregard their well-being for financial reasons. I will continue to work alongside my colleagues to make quality affordable healthcare accessible to all and reverse this discouraging enrollment trend.” Venkat, a board member of PENNIE and the General Assembly’s only Read more
HARRISBURG, Aug. 25 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, the only elected physician serving in Pennsylvania’s General Assembly, has issued the following statement after two individuals from Lancaster County died in measles-associated cases : “My prayers and deepest condolences are with the families of these two individuals who have died of measles, the first time in Pennsylvania in 35 years,” Venkat said. “Measles is a serious, highly infections and vaccine-preventable illness, and we are facing a worsening outbreak in our Commonwealth.” Venkat encourages all Pennsylvanians who have not received the measles vaccine to do so, for the safety of themselves and their communities. “Please speak with your physician and receive the measles vaccine if eligible and have not done so,” Venkat said. “The vaccine is safe and the only effective way to prevent you, your family and your community from suffering from measles. “Sadly, vaccine policy has become political. Every elected official and those who aspire to lead our communities and Commonwealth should make clear where they stand on immunizations and how to end the growing measles outbreak in Pennsylvania.” Elected in 2022, Venkat is the first physician to serve in the General Assembly in 60 years. He completed his medical education at Yale University and his emergency medicine residency at the University of Read more
House Health Committee Voting Meeting Packet - June 24, 2026 Read more
HARRISBURG, June 23 – The Pennsylvania House has unanimously passed two bipartisan bills introduced by state Reps. Arvind Venkat and Kristin Marcell that would eliminate administrative burdens to make it easier for physician assistants to receive their licenses. In hospitals, PAs are often overseen by both allopathic and osteopathic physicians. Current law requires PAs to be licensed by both boards that oversee these occupations, the State Board of Medicine and the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine. House Bills 75 and 76 would eliminate this redundancy and allow PAs to work under the supervision of either type of doctor, regardless of licensing board. “As an emergency physician, I have worked hand-in-hand with physician assistants for my entire career. The work they do is absolutely crucial to the delivery of high-quality healthcare,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “This legislation will eliminate an unnecessary barrier for PAs to continue doing this lifesaving work. I am thankful to Rep. Marcell for her collaboration on this legislation and to my other colleagues for the overwhelming support for these bills.” “These bills remove unnecessary red tape and make it easier for physician assistants and physicians to work together in caring for patients," said Marcell, R-Bucks. "I am grateful to Rep. Venkat for his partnership on this effort and pleased to see the House come together in support of Read more
HARRISBURG, June 18 – As federal officials continue to threaten public health, state Reps. Arvind Venkat, Tarik Khan and Bridget Kosierowski, all healthcare professionals, have announced their intention to introduce legislation that would require insurers to continue to cover previously recommended forms of preventive care and allow the Pennsylvania Department of Health to update those recommendations based on the best scientific evidence informed by healthcare professional organizations. The proposed legislation would require insurers in Pennsylvania to cover all forms of preventive services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the Health Resources and Services Administration as of Jan. 1, 2025. These three agencies have seen significant leadership changes since that time, raising concerns over their independence and scientific credibility. Under the Affordable Care Act, insurers must cover preventive medical care services recommended by these federal bodies without patient financial responsibility. With the federal changes in these critical entities, Venkat said the validity of their recommendations is very much in question, threatening the insurance coverage of preventive medical care for all Pennsylvanians. “As a physician-legislator, I have seen how access to evidence-based preventive medical care is under attack,” said Venkat, Read more
House Health Committee Voting Meeting Packet - June 17, 2026 Read more
House Health Committee Voting Meeting Packet - June 15, 2026 Read more
Health Committee Public Hearing on House Bill 2270 - June 10, 2026 Read more
House Health Committee Voting Meeting Packet - June 2, 2026 Read more
HARRISBURG, May 11 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, today announced his intention to introduce legislation that would establish requirements for lay midwives to provide detailed consent forms to patients as they prepare for childbirth. The legislation would require lay midwives, who do not have to meet training, certification or licensure requirements that licensed Certified Nurse-Midwives and Certified Midwives must meet, to provide informed consent forms to patients that explain the lay midwife’s qualifications and training. “In the critical time prior to and around giving birth, it is vital that Pennsylvania women have the highest quality of medical care,” said Venkat. “This legislation would ensure that mothers understand the maternal care they are receiving and make the process safer and more transparent to protect both mothers and their babies.” Consent forms would also require clarification that a lay midwife cannot prescribe medication and that the lay midwife has a written plan to address issues that may occur during labor. The legislation will include an exception for members of religious groups whose practice would be infringed by these requirements. Venkat is currently circulating the proposal among his colleagues for support. Text of the legislation can be found here . Read more
Health Committee Informational Meeting on the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act - May 6, 2026 Read more
House Health Committee Voting Meeting Packet - April 28, 2026 Read more
HARRISBURG, April 15 – The Pennsylvania House today unanimously passed bipartisan legislation that would update the membership of the State Board of Pharmacy to provide input from more pharmacy professionals, announced the bill’s co-prime sponsors, state Reps. Arvind Venkat and Andrew Kuzma. The bill, H.B. 980 , would expand the board’s knowledge and expertise by adding a second acute care institutional pharmacist and a registered pharmacy technician. This would increase the board’s membership from five to seven. “These new appointments will provide the Board of Pharmacy with a deeper pool of knowledge and broader perspectives on pharmacy practice in Pennsylvania,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “I have worked with pharmacists throughout my medical career, and I know this legislation will ensure Pennsylvania has more informed, inclusive, and insightful oversight of pharmacy practice. I thank Rep. Kuzma for his partnership on this bill.” “Adding professional representation to the board allows for a broader range of perspectives to be considered when making decisions and shaping policies,” said Kuzma, R-Allegheny/Washington. “I’m happy to see this bill move forward and partner with Rep. Venkat on this issue. We remain dedicated to bipartisan collaboration to enhance the well-being of Pennsylvanians.” House Bill 980 will now move to the state Senate for Read more
House Health Committee Voting Meeting Packet - April 14, 2026 Read more
House Health Committee Voting Meeting Packet - March 25th, 2026 Read more
Joint House Health Committee and Communications & Technology Committee Informational Meeting AI in Healthcare - March 24th, 2026 Read more
Joint House Health Committee and Communications & Technology Committee Informational Meeting on AI in Healthcare - February 24th, 2025 Read more
Health Committee meeting PAcket Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates...
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.
Please use the form below to email the Health.
Thank you. Your feedback has been sent.