Frankel named Health Committee majority chairman, announces panel members

Says access to health care, lowering costs are key issues in years ahead

Rep. Dan B. Frankel    March 7, 2023 | 10:41 AM

HARRISBURG, March 7 – Rep. Dan Frankel said he gratefully accepted the post of majority chairman of the Pennsylvania House Health Committee Tuesday, after four years of serving as minority chairman.  

With the gavel comes the authority to set the schedule and choose legislation for the committee to consider. Frankel said that his agenda will align with the values that led voters to put Democrats in the majority for the first time in 12 years.  

"There is no more crucial issue to Pennsylvanians than access to health care, and that will be my guiding star," Frankel said.  

Long a champion for high-value, high quality care, Frankel said he hopes to address the high cost of drugs and procedures and promote community care for all Pennsylvanians. 

He said that out of seven Health Committee hearings over the last two years, five were culture war attacks on reproductive health care or gender affirming health care, and one was on non-scientific treatments for COVID-19.  

“That stops now,” Frankel said. “It’s crystal clear that our health care landscape is not working for consumers, health workers or communities, and we are in a position to make desperately needed improvements.”  

Frankel noted that, even as it focused on hot button issues, the Health Committee has long been known for its comity. That, he said, is a tradition he intends to maintain. 

“Democrats will set the agenda, but that doesn’t mean that the minority party won’t get to have a voice,” Frankel said. “I want to help and protect the people of Pennsylvania, and I have high hopes that we can do a lot in that realm by working together.”  

Democratic members of the Health Committee are Reps. Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny; Lisa Borowski, D-Delaware; Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila.; Tarik Khan, D-Phila.; Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna; Rick Krajewski, D-Phila.; La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny; Danielle Friel Otten; D-Chester; Ben Sanchez, D-Montgomery; Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester; and Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny.