March 21 e-mail: Love, labor, paid leave

Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara March 21, 2025

PA Representative Jennifer O'Mara's banner image

Dear Neighbor,

My family is beyond excited to share that we’re expecting a new addition this August! With this being my second pregnancy, I'm reminded of a crucial lesson learned from Katherine's birth – the need for paid family leave.

I went back to work in Harrisburg just one month after Katherine was born. I suffered from post-partum depression, and between commuting from Delco to Harrisburg, pumping, attending meetings and caring for my newborn, I realized I couldn’t do it all. This is the reality for too many hardworking Pennsylvanians – they can’t afford to miss work to take care of both their baby and themselves. That’s why I teamed up with state Reps. Dan Miller, Natalie Mihalek, Lindsay Powell and KC Tomlinson to introduce the bipartisan Family Care Act. We came together from across the aisle to draft this bill which would establish a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program. The bill cleared the PA House Labor & Industry Committee this week, and its next step is to receive a full House vote. Click here to learn more about our legislation, and click below to hear the remarks I gave during its committee vote.

Update on Crozer

Early last week, a temporary agreement was made for short term funding that allows for more time to find a sustainable, long-term solution. While the end of that extension is nearing, the judge has called for another face-to-face meeting so that a long-term deal can be reached before funding runs out next week. I remain hopeful that all parties do the right thing and come to the table for the best interest of Delaware County residents.

Feeling lucky in Springfield

My staff and I had a blast marching in the annual Springfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade alongside the great IBEW 654 with Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon and state Sen. Tim Kearney! Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate all things Irish, good luck and great company. Until next year! ??

LIHEAP closes for the season on April 4

If you need help paying your home heating bills from the winter, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program can help.

This vital program offers grants ranging from $200 to $1,000, depending on your household size, income, and fuel type, to help cover heating costs. Facing an emergency like broken heating equipment, a fuel shortage, or utility shutoffs? Crisis grants are also available.

Don’t miss out, the 2024-25 LIHEAP season runs through April 4, 2025! Click here to learn more and apply.

Growing minds need good books

I joined Healthy Hoops at the Springfield YMCA and shared some of Katherine's favorite books with them. Thank you to AmeriHealth Caritas for bringing Healthy Hoops workshops to the area and teaching children the importance of wellness in a fun way. Then, I was honored to be a mystery reader once again at Covenant Nursery School during their March Mystery Reader series. It’s always a joy to read to my youngest constituents!

Medicare Changes? You Have Options

Did your Medicare plan stop covering a medication in 2025 or add new prior authorization requirements? You have the right to a 30-day transition fill within the first 90 days of the year and can request a coverage exception.

PA MEDI can help you file an appeal or explore other coverage and savings options.

?? Call the PA MEDI Helpline to connect with a local counselor: 1-800-783-7067 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

?? Learn more about PA MEDI at https://pa.gov/pamedi.

March Blood Drive

Senator Kearney and I are hosting a blood drive on March 31 at Swarthmore PAC! To help our donors maintain their wellbeing, the Red Cross will expand its health offerings to include A1C testing, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes, to all donors who successfully give blood, platelets or plasma March 1-31, 2025. Test results will be available in one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or a donor’s account at https://www.redcrossblood.org/.

As a thank-you for donors stepping up to help patients in need, they'll receive a gift** by email when they come to give blood in March. (** restrictions apply, see https://www.amazon.com/gc-legal.)

Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-8000-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: “Senator Kearney” to schedule an appointment.

Streamline your donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history questions on the day of your appointment.

Checking out a local solar project

I recently visited the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County to see their solar panels and discuss the need for more renewable energy in PA. As a mother and legislator, climate change is a top concern. While Harrisburg stalls, local communities are stepping up. It's time to act—not just for energy bills, but for our kids' future. PA already pays 7% more for energy than the rest of the country. We can do better.

Click here to read more.

Butterflies in bloom ??

With spring in full bloom, it’s the perfect time to start gardening, and to welcome butterflies to your yard! Many native plants can serve as host plants, giving butterflies a place to lay their eggs and providing caterpillars with the perfect nutrition to transform into beautiful butterflies.

Penn State Extension’s Master Gardeners put together this list of native plants you can grow that attract and benefit butterflies. Check it out if you’re looking to naturally beautify your yard: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/york/native-plants/fact-sheets/butterfly-larval-host-plant-list.

Smoothly file tax appeals or refund requests with the new Online Petition Center

Pennsylvania taxpayers can now file an appeal or submit a refund request online with a new tool launched by the Shapiro administration. The Online Petition Center helps taxpayers more easily navigate the appeal filing process with the Board of Appeals, which is the first level for a taxpayer to challenge a tax assessment or settlement issued by the Department of Revenue.

You can expect an improved, user-friendly website, a “tracker” feature to check the status of your petition after submission, the option to pause a petition, save your progress or return to complete the petition and more!

District grant seminar

Last week, I had the privilege of hosting a grant seminar for local municipalities, first responders, and non-profits. A huge thank you to Madra from DCED for sharing invaluable insights and resources with our community partners as well as Rose Tree Fire Co. for hosting us!