News Center

DeLuca, Frankel to host Policy Committee roundtable on what drives pharmaceutical costs Friday in Pittsburgh

(Apr 30, 2019) Policy Committee

PITTSBURGH, April 30 – State Representatives Tony DeLuca and Dan Frankel, both D-Allegheny, announced they are hosting a House Democratic Policy Committee public roundtable discussion on pharmaceutical cost drivers. The roundtable will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 3 at the Comfort Inn Conference Center, 699 Rodi Road, Pittsburgh. The public and media are invited to attend. DeLuca and Frankel requested the meeting as Democratic Chairman of the House Insurance and Health Committees respectively to bring stakeholders and legislative colleagues from across the state to identify what makes prescription drugs so expensive. The discussion will also focus on how to improve patient access to medicines needed. Panelists scheduled to participate include: Corey DeLuca, Director, Clinical Pharmacy Services, Highmark, Inc. Lauren Rowley, Vice President of State Affairs, Pharmaceutical Care Management Association Erin Ninehouser, Director of Campaigns & Consumer Engagement, PA Health Access Network Ashlie VanMeter, Senior Director of State Government Affairs, Association of Accessible Medicines Pat Lavella, RPh., Manager of Strategic Pharmacy Initiatives, Value Drug Company Dr. Adele Towers, President, Allegheny County Medical Society Jessica Brooks,CEO, Pittsburgh Business Group on Health The meeting is one in a series held across the state on House Democrats’ Plan4PA, focused on putting people first by growing good jobs, providing health Read more

 

DeLuca, lawmakers file brief in support of lawsuit against UPMC

(Apr 25, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

The lawsuit seeks to modify and indefinitely extend the UPMC-Highmark Health consent decrees that are set to expire June 30. Read more

 

DeLuca, DePasquale unveil school district financial reform measures

(Apr 17, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, April 17 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, accompanied by state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, today unveiled a comprehensive bill package geared toward steering commonwealth school districts away from future financial mishaps, such as the financial crisis that landed Penn Hills School District on state-mandated financial oversight. The proposed bills, coined the “School Board and Administration Financial Reform Package,” was presented Wednesday during a Capitol news conference. The legislative package was crafted at the request of the Allegheny County Grand Jury that investigated the Penn Hills School District finances. “What took place in Penn Hills School District quite simply could be described as a complete disregard to taxpayers, the community and its students. I’m disgusted and downright disappointed that a once-renowned school district could dig itself into such a financial hole that its only option was to ask its taxpayers to bail them out,” DeLuca said. “The bill package presented today would guarantee that the financial disaster that took place in Penn Hills will never happen again, so long as we can get these good-government bills voted on and enacted into law. It’s my hope that my colleagues – on both sides of the aisle – see the importance of moving these legislative measures through the House.” The bills, which have yet to be formally introduced in the House, would: Read more

 

House Democrats fight for healthy people and a strong economy in PA

(Mar 28, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, March 28 – With the president leading a renewed push to dismantle affordable healthcare coverage in the United States, a group of House Democratic lawmakers are reinforcing their commitment to a package of proposals designed to make sure people in Pennsylvania can always afford to see a doctor when they get sick. The “Healthy People, Stronger Economy” plan protects consumers even if special interests are able to overturn the Affordable Care Act. The plan contains four bills putting people first, including: Protecting Your Coverage, Protecting Your Health (HB 469) – sponsored by Reps. Tony DeLuca and Dan Frankel, both of Allegheny County – recognizes that a consumer paying for an insurance plan that doesn't cover items as basic as hospitalization and emergency services has insurance that is almost worse than having no insurance at all. The bill guarantees all insurance plans sold in the state cover 10 essential benefits: • emergency services; • hospitalization; • prescription drugs; • maternity & newborn care; • mental health & substance abuse disorder services; • rehabilitation; • laboratory services to aid in diagnosis and treatment; • chronic disease management; • ambulatory patient services; and • pediatric services, including oral and vision care. "If the Federal Health Care Reform law is ever abolished by the United States Supreme Court or Read more

 

Grants announced for local roadway, dairy farm in DeLuca’s district

(Mar 26, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, March 26 – Nearly $415,000 in state funding earmarked for the reconstruction of a borough street and the development of a ready-to-drink coffee beverage was distributed today to entities located in the 32 nd Legislative District, announced state Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny. “Grant money can go toward a number of initiatives across the commonwealth, but it’s always great to announce funding that will have a direct, positive impact on constituents and the local community,” DeLuca said. “We have a growing region, but to continue that development we have to make sure that folks can get around – whether they are walking or riding,” added Sen. Jay Costa, D-Allegheny. The $390,000 disbursed to Verona Borough will aid in the reconstruction of the borough’s First Street roadway and sidewalks between North and South avenues. The borough also will benefit from the installation of 26 ADA-compliant ramps along First Street during reconstruction efforts. In addition, Turner Dairy Farms, located in Penn Hills Township, was awarded $23,500 to assist with the development of a ready-to-drink coffee beverage. DeLuca said the local farm is planning to develop and market the beverage, in partnership with an experienced local coffee roaster. The funds also will go toward the purchase of coffee processing equipment and the hiring of a graphic design firm to develop packaging. “Due to this allocation, not only will a Read more

 

Statewide Disaster Relief Approved for Pennsylvania Farms

(Mar 25, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

The Wolf Administration today notified farmland owners in 61 Pennsylvania counties that they are eligible to receive disaster relief assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture. Read more

 

House Democrats fight for seniors and families by delivering on Promise of Care

(Mar 20, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, March 20 – House Democratic lawmakers, in response to widespread concerns about patients and clients in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and long-term care homes not getting the quality care they deserve, announced a comprehensive package of bills to protect seniors and give family members the vital information they need to make the right choice for their grandparents and parents. As pension plans increasingly become a thing of the past and families become smaller and unable to care for elderly relatives in their own homes, House Democrats believe people need to know the long-term care options for their loved ones are the best possible – because, someday, we’ll all need a place to call home. While most facilities do a good job caring for patients and clients, as well as providing a stable place of employment for healthcare professionals, seniors, families and potential employees need the facts and protections these bills would deliver. The Promise of Care package includes: Making a Home truly a Home (Sponsored by Rep. Angel Cruz): A long-term care home shouldn’t feel like a hospital ward. This bill creates a voluntary Culture & Quality of Life Certification Program that would reward homes that go the extra mile to offer a rich, life-affirming program that treats residents like the individual people they are. Reporting Requirements when a Resident Passes (Two bills sponsored by Rep. Frank Burns): People Read more

 

Wolf Administration provides tips to avoid tax scams

(Mar 12, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

With about a month remaining before the April 15 deadline to file state and federal tax returns, the Department of Revenue today partnered with the IRS and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants to offer useful filing tips and other guidance to help Pennsylvanians avoid falling victim to common tax scams. Read more

 

Celebrating International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month

(Mar 08, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

March in its entirety is a month of recognition for women near and far: March 8 marks the 108 th International Women’s Day, and the entire month of March is recognized as Women’s History Month. Women across the world have made and continue to make positive progress and remarkable contributions to society. Without women like Marie Sklodowska Curie, founder of the science of radioactivity, or Rosa Parks, who took a stand against race segregation in 1955 by refusing to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Ala., effective treatments for cancer or the beginning of the Civil Rights movement could have been delayed decades. We, as a society, have come a long way in regard to women’s rights, but the fight is far from over. We need to continue the push for equal gender rights and pay, and move forward in our quest to ensure women are getting the paid leave they deserve and need following a child’s birth. It’s because of women that we are who we are as a society, and it’s with great pride that I wish all of the women across the 32 nd Legislative District a Happy International Women’s Day and History Month! Read more

 

Why didn't the state Department of Education step in sooner? My letter to Secretary Pedro A. Rivera

(Mar 07, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

I am writing regarding the Penn Hills School District dire financial situation and asking that your department explain how it exercised appropriate oversight of the school's finances, and what it did to prevent this nearly irreversible financial hole. Read more

 

PennDOT announces plans to repair landslide on Hulton Road

(Mar 05, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

I am pleased to inform you the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has announced plans to repair the landslide on Hulton Road which, when completed, should result in reopening the roadway near Milltown in Penn Hills. Hulton Road will be closed for one or two days beginning Monday, March 11, so all of the underground utilities can be located. When that survey work is finished, the road will reopen with the current lane restriction. Plans then call for the landslide repair project contracts to hopefully be awarded at the end of April so construction can begin in mid-May. According to PennDOT, in addition to repairing the landslide, the project includes installing a retaining wall to support the fill-slope; reconstructing the lane and shoulder on the embankment side of the road; and milling and resurfacing the lane and shoulder on the cut slope side. The reconstruction length is approximately 700 feet. Detour signs will be posted. Official maps and proposed detours during the landslide repair project can be found here . Questions and input can be directed to Jonathan Moses, PennDOT District Geotechnical Engineer, 412-429-4897 or jmoses@pa.gov. Read more

 

Auditor General DePasquale Announces Date, Location of Penn Hills School District Public Meeting to Discuss Improving Education

(Feb 21, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today said he will hold a town hall meeting to discuss ideas for improving the Penn Hills School District on Feb. 28 at the Boyce Campus of the Community College of Allegheny County. Read more

 

House Democrats fight for healthy people and a stronger economy

(Feb 08, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, Feb. 8 – To make sure attacks on healthcare coverage don’t hurt Pennsylvania’s working families, a group of House Democratic lawmakers are introducing a package of proposals to make sure people can always afford to see a doctor when they get sick. The “Healthy People, Stronger Economy” plan protects consumers even if special interests are able to overturn the Affordable Care Act. The plan contains four bills putting people first, including: Protecting Your Coverage, Protecting Your Health – sponsored by Reps. Tony DeLuca and Dan Frankel, both of Allegheny County – recognizes that a consumer paying for an insurance plan that doesn't cover items as basic as hospitalization and emergency services has insurance that is almost worse than having no insurance at all. The bill guarantees all insurance plans sold in the state cover 10 essential benefits: emergency services; hospitalization; prescription drugs; maternity & newborn care; mental health & substance abuse disorder services; prescription drugs; rehabilitation; laboratory services to aid in diagnosis and treatment; chronic disease management; ambulatory patient services pediatric services, including oral and vision care. “If the Federal Health Care Reform law is ever abolished by the United States Supreme Court or the Congress, you could be left with health insurance policies that don’t cover the essential services Read more

 

DeLuca champions Shapiro’s legal action against UPMC, calls for reconciliation between UPMC and Highmark

(Feb 07, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, Feb. 7 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, Democratic chairman of the House Insurance Committee, today released the following statement regarding Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s decision to take legal action against UPMC and his calls for reconciliation between UPMC and Highmark: “I was proud to stand with Attorney General Josh Shapiro today on behalf of my district and the residents of western PA as we push to allow access to affordable, quality healthcare services for all residents, regardless of a their insurance provider. “This is a dispute that has gone on for far too long, prompting Shapiro’s office to intervene. What’s reassuring, though, is that the legal action taken by his office is for all the right reasons – the public’s health. “The health and well-being of residents has clearly taken a backseat to the ongoing dispute between both entities, but Shapiro’s actions seek to reverse this effect by ensuring patients have access to quality health services, which they fund through premiums, tax dollars and donations. “My colleagues and I are evaluating legislation that may or may not be needed to rectify this problem, but in the meantime I will continue to fully support Shapiro and his office in their initiative to rectify this problem and making the public’s health a priority.” Read more

 

Sen. Costa and Rep. DeLuca announce $3 million grant for project in Penn Hills

(Feb 01, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

PENN HILLS, Feb. 1 --- Today, Sen. Jay Costa and Rep. Tony DeLuca announced $3 million in state funds for a roadway project in Penn Hills Township. The grant comes from the Multimodal Fund and will be used to repave and improve roadways throughout the township most in need of repair, complete ADA-compliant cut-outs and sidewalks, and make streets more accessible for bicycle traffic. “Livable, walkable communities are one of the reasons that folks move to our area and this grant will make huge improvements in accessibility for Penn Hills,” said Senator Costa. “I look forward to seeing this project through, and opening up our roadways for pedestrians and cyclists to commute safely.” "When one thinks of improving infrastructure, one tends to think of building a new road or fixing a bridge, but repaving roads and making them and sidewalks more pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly is all part of building better infrastructure, which is key in making one's community a safer place to live for everyone," DeLuca said. "This grant is welcome news." The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of the commonwealth. Funds may be used for the development, rehabilitation and enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, Read more

 

Letter to Education Secretary Pedro A. Rivera regarding Penn Hills School District tax increase waiver

(Feb 01, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

Here's my letter to state Education Secretary Pedro Rivera, urging denial of Penn Hills School District's request for a waiver to raise property taxes above the state index. Read more

 

Food Bank Distribution for those affected by federal shutdown

(Jan 25, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

The Food Bank is distributing food to those affected by the federal shutdown on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Read more

 

Auditor General DePasquale Comments on State Placing Penn Hills School District into Financial Recovery Status

(Jan 18, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

I commend Auditor General Eugene DePasquale for his comments yesterday about the state’s decision to place the Penn Hills School District into financial recovery status. Here is his statement for more information on what led to the current situation Read more

 

$560,000 awarded to 16 Allegheny County school districts, charter schools

(Jan 17, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, Jan. 17 – Sixteen education entities in Allegheny County today were awarded a total $560,000 in targeted grants provided through Gov. Tom Wolf’s PAsmart initiative, announced state Rep. Dan Miller, chairman of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation. The grants will fund training and equipment needed to prepare teachers and students for the expansion of computer science programs. Miller said each recipient will receive $35,000 through PAsmart, which has made Pennsylvania No. 2 in the nation for investing in K-12 STEM and computer science education. “The delegation is happy to announce this funding,” Miller said. “In the coming years, most jobs will require workers to use computers and advanced technology in an ever-changing workforce and economy. By providing this funding, we’re helping to ensure students and teachers will be adequately prepared to succeed in their line of work, and do so with confidence.” School districts and charter/intermediate unit schools awarded funding through PAsmart include: Baldwin-Whitehall School District (Reps. Harry Readshaw, Bill Kortz and Dan Miller) Carlynton School District (Reps. Anita Kulik and Dan Deasy) Chartiers Valley School District (Kulik and Miller) City Charter High School (Reps. Dan Frankel, Jake Wheatley, Adam Ravenstahl, Readshaw, Miller, Sara Innamorato, Deasy, Summer Lee and Ed Gainey) Deer Lakes School District (Rep. Frank Dermody) Duquesne Read more

 

DeLuca: Riverview School District gets $35,000 to enhance computer science programs

(Jan 17, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, Jan. 17 – Computer science classes and teacher training at Riverview School District will be enhanced by a $35,000 state grant, announced state Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny. DeLuca said the district will receive the substantial grant under the PAsmart initiative, which has made Pennsylvania No. 2 in the nation for investing in K-12 STEM and computer science education. “The funding awarded through this program will allow students and teachers to succeed in a world that relies heavily on computers and technology,” DeLuca said. “We need to prepare future generations for a path to success, and the influx of money coming in to support the district’s computer sciences classes will do just that.” DeLuca said Riverview School District was among this round of targeted grant recipients, which include 221 school districts, two career and technical centers, 18 charter and cyber school, and eight intermediate units – each of which is receiving the maximum $35,000. Read more

 

DeLuca, Frankel to host Policy Committee roundtable on what drives pharmaceutical costs Friday in Pittsburgh
Apr 30, 2019

DeLuca, lawmakers file brief in support of lawsuit against UPMC
Apr 25, 2019

DeLuca, DePasquale unveil school district financial reform measures
Apr 17, 2019

House Democrats fight for healthy people and a strong economy in PA
Mar 28, 2019

Grants announced for local roadway, dairy farm in DeLuca’s district
Mar 26, 2019

Statewide Disaster Relief Approved for Pennsylvania Farms
Mar 25, 2019

House Democrats fight for seniors and families by delivering on Promise of Care
Mar 20, 2019

Wolf Administration provides tips to avoid tax scams
Mar 12, 2019

Celebrating International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month
Mar 08, 2019

Why didn't the state Department of Education step in sooner? My letter to Secretary Pedro A. Rivera
Mar 07, 2019

PennDOT announces plans to repair landslide on Hulton Road
Mar 05, 2019

Auditor General DePasquale Announces Date, Location of Penn Hills School District Public Meeting to Discuss Improving Education
Feb 21, 2019

House Democrats fight for healthy people and a stronger economy
Feb 08, 2019

DeLuca champions Shapiro’s legal action against UPMC, calls for reconciliation between UPMC and Highmark
Feb 07, 2019

Sen. Costa and Rep. DeLuca announce $3 million grant for project in Penn Hills
Feb 01, 2019

Letter to Education Secretary Pedro A. Rivera regarding Penn Hills School District tax increase waiver
Feb 01, 2019

Food Bank Distribution for those affected by federal shutdown
Jan 25, 2019

Auditor General DePasquale Comments on State Placing Penn Hills School District into Financial Recovery Status
Jan 18, 2019

$560,000 awarded to 16 Allegheny County school districts, charter schools
Jan 17, 2019

DeLuca: Riverview School District gets $35,000 to enhance computer science programs
Jan 17, 2019