State lawmakers take legislative aim to honor Muslim and Jewish Pennsylvanians

(Mar 14, 2024)

HARRISBURG, March 14 – A diverse group of lawmakers proudly joined together today to unveil legislation honoring the heritage and contributions of Jewish and Muslim Pennsylvanians. “Growing up as a Muslim kid in a Jewish neighborhood with a Catholic mom, I saw every day how diversity makes us stronger, better and more empathetic,” said state Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., lead sponsor of the resolution to designate July 2024 as Muslim Heritage Month. “To paraphrase Mahatma Gandhi, ‘different religions are beautiful flowers from the same garden,’ and are equally true and majestic. Today’s resolutions are about celebrating these two equally beautiful and magnificent faiths.” The Muslim American Heritage Month measure will be introduced alongside of a resolution by state Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, to designate May 2024 as Jewish American Heritage Month . “These two great faiths and cultures helped shape the world, and they also help shape almost every community in this commonwealth,” Frankel said. “At a time when conflict abroad has Jewish and Muslim Pennsylvanians feeling vulnerable, it’s more important than ever to create space for cultural education and appreciation.” Khan and Frankel were joined by several colleagues in the introduction of the two pieces of legislation: Reps. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton; Matt Gergely, D-Allegheny; Jose Read more

 

Khan to roll out healthcare workforce legislative package

(Mar 14, 2024)

HARRISBURG, March 14 – State Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., today announced that he plans to introduce two bills to help address shortages of healthcare workers so that all Pennsylvanians can receive high-quality medical care. These bills would provide for the recruitment and retainment of nursing faculty members and health care preceptors. The first bill would establish the New Nursing Faculty Grant Program to provide grants of up to $10,000 per year for newly employed, full-time nursing faculty members. The second bill would establish the Pennsylvania Health Care Preceptor Deduction to incentivize qualified individuals to serve as preceptors for advanced practice nurses, physicians, physician assistants and registered nurses by providing a $1,000 tax deduction for doing do. “As a nurse practitioner, I know how important it is to keep our healthcare workforce supply strong,” Khan said. “Recruiting nursing faculty is often difficult, and healthcare preceptors are often hard to find. Our bill will help ensure critical support for both nursing faculty and healthcare professional preceptors.” The nursing faculty grant program is modeled after a Maryland program that was highly successful. The second bill would make Pennsylvania the sixth state to take action to incentivize medical professionals to enter preceptorships. Nearly 80,000 applicants across the nation were not Read more

 

Khan Fights for Full Practice Authority for Nurse Practitioners

(Mar 08, 2024)

Pa. state Rep. Tarik Khan spoke during a joint House Health and Professional Licensure Committee meeting about the necessity of authorizing full practice authority for nurse practitioners. As a nurse practitioner since 2011, Khan recognizes the need for the safe, effective care that NP’s are able to provide their patients. Read more

 

Gallagher, Khan, Warren call for PA to update insurance laws around colorectal cancer screenings

(Mar 05, 2024)

HARRISBURG, March 5 – Today, state Reps. Pat Galagher, Tarik Khan, both D-Phila., and Perry Warren, D-Bucks, hosted a news conference at the state Capitol announcing that they plan to introduce legislation that would update state insurance laws to expand coverage for colorectal cancer screenings. Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths even though it is a very treatable form of cancer when caught early. When detected in its earliest stages, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 90%. The legislators said their legislation would update Pennsylvania’s Insurance Company Law to reduce the age when colorectal cancer screenings are covered to 45 from 50. This legislation also prevents prior authorizations and advance notice for screening colonoscopies for individuals 45 and above. Current law requires health insurance coverage for routine colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 50 based on American Cancer Society standards published in 2008. Multiple other states have updated their law to reflect more recent American Cancer Society guidelines from 2018. The updated recommendations call for people to begin screening at age 45 rather than 50. Gallagher, who is a colorectal cancer survivor, said the legislation could result in more early detections and ultimately save lives. “As a survivor of colorectal cancer, I know firsthand the impact that early detection and proper care Read more

 

Khan Encourages People to Screen for Colon Cancer

(Mar 04, 2024)

Pa. state Rep. Tarik Khan got a colonoscopy to encourage other folks to have the procedure done to prevent colon cancer. Khan has introduced bills with Rep. Pat Gallagher to reduce barriers to accessing colon cancer screening, and that that would make March 2024, Colon Cancer Awareness Month in PA! Read more

 

Khan Brings Books to Life for Pre-K Kids

(Mar 01, 2024)

PA state Rep. Tarik Khan and his pal Grover stopped by Cook-Wissahickon School to read to students. Khan says reading to children helps them develop a lifelong love of reading, and contributes to brain development, improved creativity, and language skill building. Read more

 

Khan Presents Check to Fight Erosion

(Feb 28, 2024)

PA state Rep. Tarik Khan announces a $356,000 grant for Friends of the Wissahickon! Khan says this funding will help protect and preserve the Wissahickon for the next generation! Read more

 

State lawmakers highlight need to alleviate medical debt

(Feb 27, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 27 – Today, state Reps. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., and Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, held a news conference at the State Capitol to discuss the importance of alleviating medical debt for Pennsylvanians who need it most. Last spring, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation ( H.B. 78 ) that would establish the Pennsylvania Medical Debt Repayment Program, which would target the medical debt of low-income Pennsylvanians drowning in it and in need of relief. The legislation is currently sitting in the PA Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Medical debt relief is also a top priority for Gov. Josh Shapiro who, in his state budget address for the 2024-25 fiscal year, proposed investing $4 million to wipe it out for thousands of Pennsylvanians. State officials estimate that roughly 1 million Pennsylvanians carry some amount of medical debt. As of Dec. 2020, Pennsylvanians collectively share more than $1.8 billion in medical debt in a collections stage. “The toll of medical debt is staggering, with some reports showing that nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have gone into debt due to healthcare costs,” Khan said. “Medical debt makes us sicker because it prevents people from seeking preventative care and in some cases skipping healthcare services all together. It’s time the legislature addresses this issue that plagues countless Pennsylvanians.” Read more

 

State Rep. Tarik Khan gets funding boost from Gov. Shapiro

(Feb 26, 2024)

Rep. Khan gives a review of Gov. Shapiro's budget proposal for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. Read more

 

Khan Celebrates Grant Funds for Roxborough Community

(Feb 23, 2024)

Pa. state Rep. Tarik Khan presented a grant of $75,000 to the Roxborough Development Corporation. Khan says that these funds will be used to help repair sidewalks and parking lots, expand parking lanes and improve the tree line on streets in the community. Read more

 

State lawmakers offer support for Pennsylvania’s Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange during their service

(Feb 21, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 21 – Today, state lawmakers introduced legislation that would create a task force on Agent Orange -- a blend of herbicides used during the Vietnam War. Agent Orange was banned when evidence of the harmful and sometimes deadly results of exposure to it began to emerge. Those who were exposed to Agent Orange are at risk of developing cancers, neurological and psychological conditions, and other long-term effects to the skin and heart. Exposure to Agent Orange can also cause reproductive health problems and birth defects in the children of veterans, including spina bifida, hip dysplasia, and congenital heart disease. The task force would comprise several members of military organizations and members of the PA House and PA Senate to investigate and form recommendations on how best to communicate with veterans affected by Agent Orange concerning the treatment options available to them. This bipartisan legislation was introduced by state Reps. Paul Takac, D-Centre; Mike Cabell, R-Luzerne; Brian Munroe, D-Bucks; Dane Watro, R-Schuylkill/Luzerne; Tarik Khan, D-Phila.; Zachary Mako, R-Northampton/Lehigh; Chris Pielli, D-Chester; and Abby Major, R-Armstrong/Westmoreland. “We owe all those who have served our country, especially those who have been harmed as a result of their service, not only our profound respect and gratitude but an enduring commitment to serve and support them and their families. That, Read more

 

Khan: Governor's Budget Plan Makes Important Investments

(Feb 12, 2024)

Pa. state Rep. Tarik Khan joined the Philadelphia House Delegation for a press conference in response to Governor Shapiro's budget proposal. Khan says it's a bold plan that would deliver much needed funding for education, mass transit, medical debt relief and repairs to our roads and bridges. Read more

 

Khan Applauds Governor Shapiro’s Budget Plan

(Feb 08, 2024)

Pa. state Rep. Tarik Khan says the work being done by Governor Josh Shapiro and House Democrats to look after the best interests of the people of Pennsylvania is shown in the proposed state budget, with investments in healthcare, education, affordable housing and much more. Read more

 

Khan Announces $5.5 million in Grants for Queen Lane Reservoir with Mayor Parker

(Jan 25, 2024)

Pa. state Rep. Tarik Khan joined Mayor Cherelle Parker and House and Senate colleagues to Khan Announces $5.5 million in grants for Queen Lane Reservoir. Read more

 

Khan Fights To Improve Access To Women's Healthcare

(Jan 24, 2024)

Pa. state Rep. Tarik Khan introduces legislation to remove unnecessary barriers and make safe abortion access easier in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Khan: Nurse Practitioners Need our Support

(Jan 23, 2024)

As a nurse practitioner himself, Pa. state Rep. Tarik Khan was proud to speak on behalf of healthcare advocates introducing legislation supporting Pennsylvania nurse practitioners. There are many barriers to entry in this profession, like pricey collaborative agreements costing the provider $10,000 - $20,000 a year, preventing nurse practitioners from caring for patients in those areas. This is a bill with tremendous bipartisan support. Read more

 

Abortion is legal, but burdened, in Pa. As a nurse and legislator, I’m trying to change that.

(Jan 23, 2024)

Rep. Khan writes on the need for safer and easier abortion access in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

State lawmakers roll out legislation to facilitate safe abortion access

(Jan 22, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 22 – Today, on the 51st anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Roe v. Wade , state Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Philadelphia, hosted a news conference at the state Capitol announcing the introduction of legislation regarding abortion rights. Rep. Khan was joined by fellow legislators and abortion-rights advocates. The legislation aims to remove unnecessary obstacles to safe abortion access by eliminating the requirement that abortion facilities meet the same regulations as ambulatory surgical centers. It would also remove the excessive mandate that abortion providers maintain admitting privileges or have transfer agreements at hospitals, which only blocks access to care. The legislators who have also prime-sponsored Khan’s bill are state Reps. La'Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny; Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery; Mary Issacson, D-Phila.; Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware; Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester; Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester; Tara Probst, D-Monroe/Pike; Heather Boyd, D-Delaware; Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery; Leanne Krueger, D-Delaware; and Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia. "As a nurse, I know that restrictive abortion laws do not lower abortion rates — they just make them less safe," Khan said. "We must remove any unnecessary requirements from facilities that provide this care. Our bill increases access to safe abortion by increasing people's access to safe abortion Read more

 

Khan Participated in the Celebrity Cow Milking Contest

(Jan 17, 2024)

Pa. state Rep. Tarik Khan competed in the Celebrity Cow Milking Contest at the 108th Pennsylvania Farm Show. Khan reminds everyone to buy and eat local as much as possible because it’s the most direct way to support Pa. farmers. He also pays homage to W.B. Saul High School, a remarkable agricultural school in his district that helps streamline students into the agricultural world. Read more

 

When AI’s Not the Answer, Bringing Tax $ Back Home, Severe Storm Prep and more

(Jan 12, 2024)

Happy New Year! As we wade into 2024, I wanted to update you on two bipartisan bills I created that I think will help our community – one to help fund the renovation of our libraries, rec centers, and police and fire stations, and one to safeguard political advertisements, like the kind we’ll see in 2024, from misleading deep-fakes and other deceptive AI-generated content. This email also has an update on safeguarding our community from future severe storms. Read more

 

State lawmakers take legislative aim to honor Muslim and Jewish Pennsylvanians
Mar 14, 2024

Khan to roll out healthcare workforce legislative package
Mar 14, 2024

Khan Fights for Full Practice Authority for Nurse Practitioners
Mar 08, 2024

Gallagher, Khan, Warren call for PA to update insurance laws around colorectal cancer screenings
Mar 05, 2024

Khan Encourages People to Screen for Colon Cancer
Mar 04, 2024

Khan Brings Books to Life for Pre-K Kids
Mar 01, 2024

Khan Presents Check to Fight Erosion
Feb 28, 2024

State lawmakers highlight need to alleviate medical debt
Feb 27, 2024

State Rep. Tarik Khan gets funding boost from Gov. Shapiro
Feb 26, 2024

Khan Celebrates Grant Funds for Roxborough Community
Feb 23, 2024

State lawmakers offer support for Pennsylvania’s Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange during their service
Feb 21, 2024

Khan: Governor's Budget Plan Makes Important Investments
Feb 12, 2024

Khan Applauds Governor Shapiro’s Budget Plan
Feb 08, 2024

Khan Announces $5.5 million in Grants for Queen Lane Reservoir with Mayor Parker
Jan 25, 2024

Khan Fights To Improve Access To Women's Healthcare
Jan 24, 2024

Khan: Nurse Practitioners Need our Support
Jan 23, 2024

Abortion is legal, but burdened, in Pa. As a nurse and legislator, I’m trying to change that.
Jan 23, 2024

State lawmakers roll out legislation to facilitate safe abortion access
Jan 22, 2024

Khan Participated in the Celebrity Cow Milking Contest
Jan 17, 2024

When AI’s Not the Answer, Bringing Tax $ Back Home, Severe Storm Prep and more
Jan 12, 2024