News Center

Venkat’s opioid overdose awareness toolkit bill passes PA House

(Jun 12, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

HARRISBURG, June 12 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s bill that would require the creation of materials to circulate information about the ongoing opioid public health crisis passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with a bipartisan majority today. The legislation, H.B. 1783 , would require the state Department of Health to consult with the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to create a poster, to be displayed in public and private settings, which provides information about opioid overdose. The information would include: Signs of an opioid-related overdose. What to do if an opioid-related overdose occurs. Locating an agent to reverse opioid effects. Additional resources. “I’ve treated many patients in the throes of an opioid overdose as an emergency physician, and proactive measures to help stem the tide of this crisis are imperative,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “I’m grateful to bipartisan House colleagues, especially Representative Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana), not only for their affirmative votes, but for their commitment to saving as many lives as possible with this legislation.” The legislation additionally would authorize the creation of a Lifetime Recovery from Substance Use Grant Program to assist in the development, expansion or improvement of recovery support services delivery in Pennsylvania. Spearheaded by state Reps. Jim Gregory, R-Blair/Huntingdon, and Read more

 

Venkat’s legislation to ease restrictions on physician assistants voted out of committee unanimously

(Jun 12, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

HARRISBURG, June 12 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s bills that would put a flexibility component in place for physician assistants and the supervising physicians they work with were voted out of the House Professional Licensure Committee unanimously today. The legislation ( H.Bs. 2294 and 2295 ) would amend the physician licensure acts in Pennsylvania and allow physician assistants to work with either classification of physician, a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Current law on the books mandates that physician assistants and supervising physicians must be licensed by the same state medicine board as the supervising physician. “These bills are commonsense measures that connect more doctors and physician assistants with the patients in need of their skills and expertise,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “As a physician-legislator, I’m committed to supporting my peers and helping to remove barriers to the highest quality of care.” The bills now head to the full House for consideration. Read more

 

Venkat’s health care reimbursement legislation passes House

(Jun 04, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

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

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(May 29, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: PA Statewide Drug and Alcohol Toll-Free Call Center Who May Apply: Applicant must be able to manage a statewide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year Drug and Alcohol (D&A) Toll-Free Call Center. Use: DDAP will enter into a grant agreement with one entity to manage and oversee all aspects of the D&A Call Center to provide confidential referral services to consumers and their families seeking drug and alcohol treatment and who are experiencing difficulty as a result of substance use disorder (SUD). Funds: Up to $6,788,000 for five years for one grantee through DDAP’s Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant federal funding. Application Deadline: June 18, 2024 More information: DDAP Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others may apply. Use: Strategic business planning to expand or diversify farms or support transition of ownership. Funds: $500,000 in funding is available. Grants shall not exceed $7,500. Application Deadline: Applications will be received until funds are exhausted. More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Recruitment Incentives for Law Enforcement Who May Apply: Read more

 

Venkat introduces bill to prohibit price spikes on travel service websites

(May 23, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

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

 

Venkat’s new legislation prioritizes timeliness in processing Medical Assistance applications and reimbursing long-term care facilities

(May 22, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

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

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District

(May 22, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2024 County Jail-Based Vivitrol Program Who May Apply: Funding is available to all counties with a county jail seeking to establish or expand a jail-based substance use treatment program. Use: Implementation or expansion of a county jail-based Vivitrol program. Funds: A total of $7.175 million in Act 80 funds is available. Application Deadline: July 17, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Attorney & Judge Training – Children with Disabilities Who May Apply: Local governments, local and national nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education which demonstrate, in their application, an ability to collaborate with state and local partners to develop and deliver statewide training for attorneys and a commitment to the improvement of child abuse investigations in the Commonwealth. Use: Costs associated with the development and delivery of a trauma-focused, child-focused, training curriculum for attorneys and judges who participate in hearings involving child abuse victims in Pennsylvania who have verbal, cognitive, and/or physical disabilities. Funds: A total of $128,990 in federal Children’s Justice Act funds is available to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund one grant with a budget not to exceed $128,990. Application Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Environmental, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(May 16, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Wild Resource Conservation Program Who May Apply: Counties, municipalities, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, conservation districts, and municipal authorities. Individuals, state government agencies, and for-profit businesses may be eligible depending on the project. Use: Grant applications will be accepted for species surveys, conservation, and management. Funds: Funding comes through the Wil Resource Conservation Fund and a portion of the Environmental Stewardship Fund. Grant size varies, but the average grant award is $30,000. Application Deadline: July 1, 2024 More information: DCNR website Department of Community and Economic Development: Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) The NAP is broken down into five components: The Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credit, the Special Program Priorities, the Neighborhood Partnership Program, the Charitable Food Program, and the Enterprise Zone Program Tax Credit. Please visit the link below for specific information on each component. Who May Apply: Depending on the program, eligible applicants include neighborhood organizations that hold a ruling from the IRS as nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations, and organizations operating as food banks, food pantries, or emergency food providers. Use: Use varies by program, but priorities for this funding Read more

 

Venkat introduces legislation to ease restrictions on physician assistants and eliminate print statement fees

(May 15, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

HARRISBURG, May 15 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, has introduced bills that would put a flexibility component in place for physician assistants and the supervising physicians they work with and prohibit banks or other financial institutions from charging clients a fee for a paper copy of a statement. The first two pieces of legislation ( House Bills 2294 and 2295 ) would amend the physician licensure acts in Pennsylvania and allow physician assistants to work with either classification of physician, a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Current law on the books mandates that physician assistants and supervising physicians must be licensed by the same state medicine board as the supervising physician. “Cutting all the red tape and connecting medical professionals with patients that need their skills and expertise to recover is one of the foundational tenets of health care and my work as a physician-legislator,” Venkat said. “Doctors want to help as many people as they can, and my bills help to break down the barriers to this mission.” Venkat’s additional legislation ( H.B. 2292 ) would ban entities from assessing an additional fee, as high as $5 monthly, to customers who request a print version of a statement from a given entity. The bill would also specify that any person or entity would still be allowed to create incentives for a consumer to select an alternative to a paper statement. Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Environmental, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(May 08, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Education: Public School Environmental Repairs Program Who May Apply: School districts, area career and technical schools, charter schools, and regional charter schools that operate school buildings. Use: Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, the remediation and/or abatement of lead in water sources and paint, asbestos, and mold inside school buildings of eligible school entities. Funds: Up to $75 million in state funds will be competitively awarded. There is no minimum funding request. The maximum funding request is $10 million. One application per entity will be accepted, but the application may consist of more than one project in more than one school building. Application Deadline: June 30, 2024 More information: PDE Website Department of Agriculture: Farm-to-School Grant Program Who May Apply: Any school district, school, charter school, private school, or center with pre-K classes, kindergarten classes, elementary classes, or middle school classes through 8 th grade that participates in a Federal Child Nutrition Program. Use: The purpose of the Farm-to-School Program is to educate prekindergartners through eighth graders and their families about the importance of choosing healthy, locally produced foods and increase awareness of Pennsylvania agriculture. Eligible projects will achieve this purpose. Funds: $500,000 is available for Read more

 

Venkat’s health care reimbursement legislation approved by committee

(May 08, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

HARRISBURG, May 6 – 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 was unanimously adopted by the PA House Insurance Committee 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. “Administrative fees associated with only having electronic credit cards as the means of payment unnecessarily drains agreed-upon reimbursements received by hard-working doctors, nurses and other health professionals who have dedicated their lives to safeguarding the health of our community,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “Let’s get our health care providers the full compensation they deserve and continue to support them in all their efforts.” 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 also 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 full Read more

 

A bill in the Pa. legislature could end non-compete agreements for most doctors

(Apr 30, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

When Dr. Lorraine Rosamilia left her job at a dermatology practice in State College, she said the non-compete she'd signed 17 years ago banned her from working within 30 miles of her former office. Read more

 

The FTC banned non-compete agreements. Experts say Philly doctors should wait to shred their contracts.

(Apr 29, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

Doctors should wait to rip up the employment contracts prohibiting them from going to work for competitors, experts are advising, even though the Federal Trade Commission voted last week to bar employers from imposing such restrictions on employees. Read more

 

Venkat praises over $728,000 in grant funding for local schools

(Apr 25, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

PITTSBURGH, April 25 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, announced that several educational institutions in the 30th Legislative District have been awarded a total of $728,022 in federal and state grants. The funds, facilitated by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, will be utilized for a combination of aspects, which include school-based mental health support, behavioral health support, physical security enhancements, and school personnel needs. Grant recipients are: Avonworth School District: $157,938. Hampton Township School District: $172,629. North Allegheny School District: $247,455. A.W. Beattie Career Center: $70,000. Eden Christian Academy: $5,000. Nazareth Prep: $75,000. “As a physician-legislator, I am committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students,” Venkat said. “Thank you to bipartisan colleagues for their collaboration on getting these essential dollars to our next generation of Pennsylvanians.” A total of $155 million in federal and state school safety funding has been approved by the School Safety and Security Committee, part of the PCCD, in appropriations for the 2023-24 fiscal year budget. Full lists of grant awardees, public and nonpublic schools, statewide can be found here . Read more

 

Frankel, Venkat: House passes bill to bar noncompete agreements in health care employment

(Apr 17, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

HARRISBURG, April 17 – The PA House today passed legislation introduced by state Reps. Dan Frankel and Arvind Venkat that would prohibit medical employers from using restrictive noncompete agreements that prevent doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who leave a job from practicing elsewhere. The lawmakers, both D-Allegheny, said they introduced H.B. 1633 to end an unfair practice that limits options for providers, disrupts patients’ long-term relationships with their trusted physicians and makes it more difficult for Pennsylvania to attract talented medical professionals. “This legislation deals with employment contracts for health care providers, but it’s really about patient care – it protects the long-term patient-care giver relationship that builds trust and improves outcomes,” said Frankel, who is majority chairman of the House Health Committee. “We know it’s not always easy to find the right health care provider, and it’s important that our laws not interfere with your ability to maintain that crucial relationship.” Venkat said, “As a physician-legislator, I know that noncompete covenants unnecessarily restrict patient access to the clinician of their choice and make Pennsylvania a less desirable place for health professionals to practice. I am proud to have worked with Representative Frankel to pass this bipartisan legislation through the state House to improve patient access in Read more

 

Rep. Venkat's April 2024 Newsletter

(Apr 16, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

Rep. Venkat's April 2024 Newsletter Read more

 

Governor wants to spend $4 million on medical debt

(Apr 10, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

“Medical debt is a burden on thousands of Pennsylvanians and raises health care costs for everyone in our state,” Venkat said Tuesday. “As an emergency physician, I have seen patients who died from delaying care due to their fear of the medical debt they had and might further accrue.” Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District

(Apr 10, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program Who May Apply: Agricultural producers or processors and nonprofits, for-profits, local government entities, and institutions such as schools, universities or hospitals that operate middle of the food chain activities or invest in equipment that will benefit middle of the supply chain activities. Use: Activities that expand capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling or distribution of targeted local and regional agricultural products Funds: Grants will be awarded to the extent that funds are available. Grant requests shall be between $10,000 and $100,000. Application Deadline: May 15, 2024 More information: PDA Website Department of Health: WalkWorks Grant Program Who May Apply: Municipalities located in either a PA Department of Health State Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) priority county or in communities with an overall percentile rating above 60 in the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s PennEnviroScreen Tool. The 10 current SPAN counties include Clearfield, Erie, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer, Northumberland, and Philadelphia. Use: Funds and structured pre-planning assistance will be available to a limited number of municipal and/or multi-municipal applicants to complete the steps necessary to prepare to apply in the future for funds Read more

 

PA Proposals: $4 Million to Erase $400 Million in Medical Debt

(Apr 08, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

While Shapiro included the $4 million in his budget for this initiative, legislation to enact a debt program already exists. Representative Arvind Venkat’s Medical Debt Relief Act passed out of the PA House last summer with some bipartisan support (114-89). Read more

 

Governor wants to spend $4 million on medical debt

(Apr 08, 2024) Rep. Arvind Venkat

“Medical debt is a burden on thousands of Pennsylvanians and raises health care costs for everyone in our state,” Venkat said Tuesday. “As an emergency physician, I have seen patients who died from delaying care due to their fear of the medical debt they had and might further accrue.” Read more

 

Venkat’s opioid overdose awareness toolkit bill passes PA House
Jun 12, 2024

Venkat’s legislation to ease restrictions on physician assistants voted out of committee unanimously
Jun 12, 2024

Venkat’s health care reimbursement legislation passes House
Jun 04, 2024

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
May 29, 2024

Venkat introduces bill to prohibit price spikes on travel service websites
May 23, 2024

Venkat’s new legislation prioritizes timeliness in processing Medical Assistance applications and reimbursing long-term care facilities
May 22, 2024

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District
May 22, 2024

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Environmental, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
May 16, 2024

Venkat introduces legislation to ease restrictions on physician assistants and eliminate print statement fees
May 15, 2024

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Environmental, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
May 08, 2024

Venkat’s health care reimbursement legislation approved by committee
May 08, 2024

A bill in the Pa. legislature could end non-compete agreements for most doctors
Apr 30, 2024

The FTC banned non-compete agreements. Experts say Philly doctors should wait to shred their contracts.
Apr 29, 2024

Venkat praises over $728,000 in grant funding for local schools
Apr 25, 2024

Frankel, Venkat: House passes bill to bar noncompete agreements in health care employment
Apr 17, 2024

Rep. Venkat's April 2024 Newsletter
Apr 16, 2024

Governor wants to spend $4 million on medical debt
Apr 10, 2024

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District
Apr 10, 2024

PA Proposals: $4 Million to Erase $400 Million in Medical Debt
Apr 08, 2024

Governor wants to spend $4 million on medical debt
Apr 08, 2024