My office will be hosting a town hall on Thursday, May 29, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at La Roche University’s Zappala Campus Center, 9000 Babcock Blvd. (Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.) I urge everyone to stop by, speak your mind, and share your thoughts, concerns and priorities for our community. Please visit this page or scan the QR code above to RSVP if you plan to attend.

This week the House unanimously passed legislation (H.B. 865) I introduced with state Rep. Craig Williams, R-Delaware/Chester, that would expand education benefits for families of National Guard members. You can read more about the bill here.

An overwhelming majority of the House also passed H.B. 79, which I introduced with bipartisan colleagues to help ensure patients and their families are aware of hospital-based financial assistance programs and how to access them. As a physician-legislator, I know this bill would save lives. Visit this page to read more about it.

During Cancer Action Day on Tuesday, I was glad to stand with advocates, survivors, caregivers, and fellow lawmakers to advocate for policies that advance the fight against cancer.

I was also proud to meet with leaders from Shaler Hampton EMS and Ross/West View EMS, who came to Harrisburg to advocate for H.B. 1152. I am a co-prime sponsor of this legislation, which would ensure that EMS providers receive a fair reimbursement rate for mandated services so they have the financial resources they need to continue delivering lifesaving services.

Earlier this week, I introduced legislation with Rep. Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, that would reduce costs for the state while ensuring that lower-income patients have continued access to the important health benefits of GLP-1 drugs. You can read more here.

In other legislative news, I voted for – and the House passed – bills that would:

• Lessen the financial pain for patients facing breast cancer.
• Authorize the Keystone Saves Program for workers who currently have no opportunity to save for retirement.
• Help counties treat jailed residents for substance use disorder.
• Allow townships to raise more money for fire and EMS services.
• Improve tax credits to spur economic growth.
• Improve our election process through a series of reforms.
• Help people save to buy their first home.
• Raise pensions for veterans who lost sight or mobility.
• Fight blight by building a database of serious property code violations.
• Fight exploitation of construction workers.

You can read more about these and other bills we passed here.

Our community was hit hard by the April 29 storm. As a member of the House Energy Committee, I questioned the PUC chair about the commission’s investigation into the utilities’ response and about what steps are being taken to better respond to the growing threat of storms affecting our region. Visit this page to hear more.

Veena, Ashok, and I had a wonderful time at the Korean American Association of Greater Pittsburgh’s Spring Festival in McCandless. I want to thank our Korean American neighbors for the gracious invitation and for everything they do for our community and region.

In student news, congratulations to sophomore Zachary Jiang (below) who performed in the PMEA All-State Orchestra last month at the Kalahari Convention Center in Pocono Manor. Visit Hampton Township School District’s post here to read more.