HARRISBURG, March 19 – Republican and Democratic chairs of the House Health Committee Kathy Rapp and Dan Frankel joined forces Wednesday to celebrate the passage of legislation aimed at reducing health care disparities in rural areas by providing grants to health care facilities for the payment of health care workers’ education debt. “Our rural health care providers are in crisis, facing persistent shortages that make it harder for Pennsylvanians to get the care they need,” said Rapp, R-Crawford/Forest/Warren. “This bill is a common-sense solution that benefits both medical professionals and the communities they serve. By easing the financial burden on providers, we can encourage more of them to bring their skills to rural areas, ensuring better access to quality care.” The bill, H.B. 157 , sponsored by Rapp and Frankel, received unanimous approval by the committee on Feb 5, 2025. “When hospitals and clinics in rural areas can’t hire enough health care workers, entire communities suffer,” said Frankel, D-Allegheny. "Patients shouldn’t have to drive long distances just to see a doctor or receive emergency care. This bill prioritizes the people who make health care possible – our frontline providers – so they can continue serving the communities that need them most.” Eligibility for the Rural Health Care Grant Program Under the proposal, Read more
HARRISBURG, March 19 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today adopted a resolution introduced by state Rep. Rob Matzie honoring the work of the commonwealth’s natural gas utility workers. Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus, said he introduced H.R. 85 – designating March 18, 2025, as “Natural Gas Utility Worker Appreciation Day” in Pennsylvania – to recognize these employees for the labor-intensive, often-hazardous work they perform and the essential role they play on behalf of residents and businesses. “Natural gas utility workers are first responders, technicians, heavy equipment operators, construction workers, safety investigators and troubleshooters all rolled into one,” Matzie said. “They go out in all hours and all weather – often to work amidst noise, fumes and other hazardous conditions – to safely maintain our vast natural gas infrastructure. “They keep our houses warm, our showers hot, our gas stoves cooking and our gas-powered businesses running smoothly. Thanks to their efforts, we have a safe, abundant supply of cleaner energy and the peace of mind that goes with knowing that there are dedicated, safety-minded workers on the job 24/7. I’m grateful for the work they do.” Natural Gas Utility Workers Day is recognized nationally on March 18 because this is the anniversary of the New London, Texas, Read more
Newly listed state grant programs Read more
HARRISBURG, March 18 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today adopted a resolution introduced by state Rep. Rob Matzie to raise awareness about multiple sclerosis. Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus, said he introduced H.R. 31 – designating March 9-15, 2025, as “Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week” in Pennsylvania – to shed greater light on this central nervous system disease that affects nearly 1 million Americans. “This issue is personal to me because my father lived with MS,” Matzie said. “Early diagnosis is critical, even though we don’t yet have a cure, because timely treatment can delay the progression of the disease and improve long-term outcomes.” Matzie said MS occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath that coats and protects the nerve fibers in the central nervous system, leaving inflammation and scarring that disrupts the transmission of nerve signals. Symptoms vary from person to person but commonly include abnormal fatigue and weakness, vision problems, balance and coordination problems, muscle spasms, numbness or tingling, bladder and bowel problems, difficulty walking and cognitive and mood changes. Most people are diagnosed between ages 20 and 50, although the disease can occur in young children and older adults. Women are about three times more likely than men Read more
Bills proposed to protect children in the juvenile justice system, save taxpayer dollars Read more
“When a loved one passes away, we celebrate and honor their life,” state Rep. Dan Deasy said. “These celebrations are different for everyone but oftentimes, they are catered events with food and drink. They also may happen within days of the loved one’s passing and timing can be unexpected. Off-premise catering permits allow liquor licenses the flexibility in catering off-site locations.” Read more
Lawmakers cast strong bipartisan vote for Mayes, McClinton bill Read more
HARRISBURG, March 17 – Pennsylvania House Health Committee Chair Dan Frankel’s bill to strengthen oversight of medical marijuana testing and enhance patient safety passed the House Monday with broad bipartisan support, marking a significant step toward ensuring the integrity and reliability of medical marijuana products statewide. House Bill 33 , which aims to bolster compliance testing, product audits, statistical analyses and lab inspections, now moves to the Senate for consideration. The bill is designed to provide stronger safeguards against contamination, inaccurate labeling and deceptive practices, ensuring that medical marijuana patients have confidence in the safety and efficacy of the products they use. “This legislation will help ensure that testing labs remain independent, transparent and accountable, so that we can prevent the types of issues that have undermined patient trust in other states,” Frankel said. Weaknesses in consumer protections were described in a series of hearings held by the Health Committee in the previous session and have also come to light through incidences of contamination , inaccurate labeling and deceptive practices in other states. Video of the Dec. 13, 2023, hearing on the regulatory landscape of cannabis can be found here . The legislation directs the Pennsylvania Department of Health to oversee lab testing with greater scrutiny, require stability testing to monitor Read more
“The people most affected by this bill have been retired for decades, were not part of the Act 9 increases, and are in their 80s and 90s,” state Rep. Dan Deasy said. “It is a finite group of individuals who will be affected, and they are most needy based on when they were last employed. We owe it to them to make it right. I’ve spoken to many who are unable to pay for food and medications. That is unacceptable for folks who gave so much to their communities and to our state.” Read more
Service in the Pennsylvania National Guard could soon come with additional incentives for military families. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 13 – State Reps. Arvind Venkat and Craig Williams have introduced a bipartisan bill that would award an additional college education grant to family members of Pennsylvanians serving in the state National Guard upon reenlistment or renewal of their service obligation. The legislation ( H.B. 865 ) would amend the Military and Veterans Code of the Commonwealth so that each time a guard member reenlists or renews their service obligation for an additional six-year term, the Military Family Education Program would again cover the cost of attending a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education school for a military family dependent. “Pennsylvania National Guard members exemplify the best of our Commonwealth, and they and their loved ones deserve the kind of support available through the MFEP,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “I’m proud to partner with Representative Williams on this bill that helps young people receive a higher education and recognizes the service of those who protect all Pennsylvanians.” "Those of us who have served, especially on deployment, know with our whole heart that military service is a full family commitment. Anything we can do to recognize, acknowledge and value that family sacrifice must be pursued. House Bill 865 extends education benefits to the families of those who continue their service in the Pennsylvania National Guard,” added Williams, R-Delaware/Chester. “I want our Read more
Medical debt harms people in different ways. It can lead them to seek payday loans, take money out of their retirement accounts, or delay medical care. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 10 -- Continuing her efforts to conserve Pennsylvania’s wildlife resources, state Rep. Mandy Steele has introduced a bill to repeal the prohibition on Sunday hunting and require at least one member of the Pennsylvania Game Commission to have a background in agriculture. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 6 – Pennsylvania House Health Committee Chair Dan Frankel condemned the long-anticipated closure of Delaware County’s Crozer Health hospital system on Thursday, vowing to push legislation aimed at preventing similar crises in the future. “These hospitals were ransacked, robbed and plundered for profit, and now their private equity owner gets to ride out of town, leaving communities with diminished access to health care and employment,” Frankel said. “It’s devastating, and we have the power to make sure it doesn’t happen again.” Last year, the House Health Committee passed a bill by Rep. Lisa Borowski that would empower the PA Attorney General to review health care acquisitions before they occur and determine if such sales serve the public interest . The bill was crafted in response to the growing role of private equity in the health care market – and the troubling consequences that have followed . Prospect Medical Holdings bought the then-Crozer Keystone Health System, now Crozer Health, in 2016. In April 2020, the company closed Springfield Hospital and in 2022 ceased operations at Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Upper Darby. The remaining two hospitals will close their doors next week. Frankel pledged to again take up the bill in his committee and to work with Borowski and legislative leaders to fast-track it through the General Assembly. “Medical Read more
A Pittsburgh-area state representative joined nonprofit health care advocates Wednesday to respond to a Congressional budget blueprint that tees up major cuts to Medicaid. Pennsylvania Democratic state Rep. Arvind Venkat, who represents the North Hills suburbs, accused congressional Republicans and the Trump administration of slashing Medicaid funding without an explanation to the public. Read more
Newly listed state grant opportunities Read more
Medicaid is an essential, life-sustaining program,” Miller said. “It helps millions of low-income people, supporting disability and mental health services, providing nursing home care, covering Medicare costs and much more. It helps Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike, and promises must be kept.” Read more
PennDOT grant funds new traffic signal at Centre Ave. and North Dithridge St. intersection Read more
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