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Rep. Tony DeLuca

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Deluca asks Mayor Peduto, House members to honor late-Sen. John McCain by flying American flag on Aug. 25

(Aug 22, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

State Rep. Tony DeLuca sent a letter to Mayor Peduto and all House members, encouraging them to fly the American flag at their residence or place of business to mark the one-year anniversary of U.S. Sen. John McCain's death. Read more

 

ConnectCards coming to a senior center near you!

(Aug 16, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

I am pleased to announce the staff in my district office has been trained to help senior citizens apply for their new Port Authority photo bus pass (Connect Card). Read more

 

Flood plain or not, you can still get flood insurance

(Aug 09, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

As a resident of Allegheny County, flooding is not uncommon – this we know. This year, however, many Allegheny County residents have been impacted by flooding. Read more

 

Residents, business owners: Low-interest loans available for flood damage

(Aug 08, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

As your representative, I wanted to let you know that I have heard your distress over the devastating, widespread flood damage throughout the district from recent storms. For weeks, I have been asking the Wolf Administration to work with federal authorities to declare Allegheny County a disaster area. Today, I’m happy to report that our voices have been heard: The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved Gov. Tom Wolf’s request, and low-interest disaster loans are now available for damage from flash flooding caused by the July 21-22 storms. Homeowners impacted may be eligible for a low-interest loan of up to $200,000. In addition, homeowners and renters may receive up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property. Businesses impacted may borrow up to $2 million to restore damaged buildings, inventory, equipment and assets. In addition to Allegheny County, disaster loans may be available for damage in neighboring Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington, and Westmoreland counties . To assist anyone wishing to apply, the SBA will establish a Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Renton Volunteer Department, Plum Borough, 1996 Old Mine Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15239. The center will be open on the following days and times: Opening: Friday, Aug. 9 at 11 a.m. Hours: Monday - Friday., 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10 & Aug. 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Closed: Sundays Closes: Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 4 p.m. Loan applications can also be Read more

 

DeLuca to Insurance Commissioner: We need to keep fair health insurance rates in the individual market

(Aug 05, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

Read my letter to state Insurance Department Commissioner Jessica K. Altman, where I express the state's need to keep fair health insurance rates in the individual market. Read more

 

Department of Health Launches eWIC Card to Make Access to Nutritious Food Easier in Southwest Pennsylvania

(Jul 22, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

The Wolf Administration today launched the eWIC program for families in Southwestern Pennsylvania who receive benefits in Pennsylvania’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Read more

 

Reminding college students about the importance of the Meningitis vaccine

(Jul 18, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

As students across Pennsylvania prepare to head to college campuses this fall, the Wolf Administration is reminding all students, parents and guardians that most schools require students receive the meningococcal vaccine before they can attend classes. Read more

 

DeLuca: More than $87,000 in fresh food grants awarded to school district, charter school in 32nd Legislative District

(Jul 15, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, July 15 – A school district and a charter school in the 32 nd Legislative District on Monday were awarded a combined $87,342 in fresh food grants, announced state Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. The program’s goals are to create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices, expand the variety of fruits and vegetables, increase fruit and vegetable consumption, and positively impact students’ present and future health. “Providing healthy food options for our students is crucial when it comes to their success in the classroom and overall health, especially during the early stages of life,” DeLuca said. “This funding will ensure students have healthy food options and also push the importance of incorporating fruits and vegetables into their daily diets at a young age.” The Penn Hills School District’s Penn Hills Elementary School was awarded $69,402 in funding. Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship was allotted $17,940 in grant money. The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program first started in the commonwealth in 2004 and is now in every state. Schools must have a free and reduced meal eligibility of 50% or more in order to qualify for the grants. Nearly 200 elementary schools across Pennsylvania were selected to receive the grants that total almost $5 million. Read more

 

DeLuca: Substantial tax credits, funding to go toward new retirement community in Penn Hills

(Jul 12, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, July 12 – Nearly $950,000 in Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement funds and $1.2 million in tax credits were approved Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Housing Financing Agency to construct a retirement community in Penn Hills, said state Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny. “The funding awarded Wednesday, to be frank, will make an extreme difference for seniors in our community,” DeLuca said. “Ensuring our seniors have a nice place to live, especially after all their hard work in years prior, is essential, at least to my district. I’m excited to announce this funding and even more excited to see the complex once it’s complete. DeLuca said the tax credits and $948,081 in PHARE funding will help pay for a 52-unit building – dubbed Emerald Hills Retirement Residence - for those 62 and older. PHARE program funding comes from a portion of the impact fees collected from natural gas companies operating in Pennsylvania to address the housing shortages caused by the impact of drilling. Those funds are supplemented with two additional funding sources, including a portion of the realty transfer tax and money from the National Housing Trust Fund. For more information, residents can visit the following link: https://www.phfa.org/legislation/act105.aspx Read more

 

DeLuca calls for state of emergency across Allegheny County

(Jul 11, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

PITTSBURGH, July 11 – Citing severe flooding and torrential rainfall across the county, state Rep. Tony DeLuca is calling upon Penn Hills Mayor Sara Kuhn and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald to declare a state of emergency in Allegheny County. DeLuca, D-Allegheny, noted that more rain is to come, with the National Weather Service calling for the possibility of an afternoon line of storms that could yield heavy rain, small hail and strong winds. A flash flood warning has been issued across the county until 8 p.m. However, DeLuca said much damage has already been done. “Our roadways are filled with water and our streams are beginning to look like rivers,” DeLuca said. “It’s a mess out here and it’s unsafe to be traveling in these conditions. Due to this, I’m calling upon Mayor Kuhn and County Executive Fitzgerald to declare a state of emergency for Penn Hills and Allegheny County as a whole.” DeLuca said the emergency declaration would allow the county to receive assistance from both the state and federal emergency management agencies, both of which would provide much-needed assistance to county officials as they work to clean and clear the roadways and monitor the ongoing flooding across the region. Read more

 

DeLuca applauds signing of H.B. 3, thanks governor, colleagues for their support

(Jul 02, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, July 2 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, today released the following statement on Gov. Tom Wolf’s signing of H.B. 3, a bipartisan bill that creates an authority to operate a state-based health insurance exchange for Affordable Care Act individual market plans, and enact a reinsurance program to reduce premium increases: “Following a hectic yet productive month at the state Capitol, I’m finally back in the district, meeting with constituents and attending to matters here in the community. However, I’m overjoyed to see Governor Wolf sign House Bill 3, which was a consumer-oriented bill that gives the commonwealth the opportunity to operate its own exchange at lower costs than the federal government and reduces premium increases. “I wish I could have been there today to take part in this historic moment – a moment that put our state legislature’s ability to work in bipartisan fashion on full display for the betterment of commonwealth residences. “I’d also like to thank Governor Wolf, Democratic Leader Frank Dermody and Republican Leader Bryan Cutler for acknowledging the work I put in to push this bill through the House Insurance Committee and to the House chamber for a prompt, unanimous vote. Your words are greatly appreciated, and it’s moments like this that give me the utmost faith in our state system and our ability to work together to move the commonwealth in the right direction. Read more

 

DeLuca: Republicans voted against consumer protections; bill would leave residents exposed to high medical costs

(Jun 27, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, June 27 – Today the House Insurance Committee voted H.B. 564 out of committee. This bill as amended allows for the direct payment to any out-of-network healthcare provider. This measure compromises networks while driving the cost of health care for consumers even higher, said Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny. DeLuca, Democratic chairman of the House Insurance Committee, said Majority Appropriations Chairman Stan Saylor, the prime sponsor of this bill, pushed the legislation to appease special interests. House Republicans on the Insurance Committee voted in favor of the legislation, which DeLuca said indicates their allegiance to their political party instead of their constituents. “This legislation is no good,” DeLuca said. “The bill puts residents at risk of high out-of-pocket costs and is at odds with what state legislators should be doing with their time in office. Instead of helping our residents, we’re exposing them to what possibly could be financial catastrophe.” DeLuca said H.B. 564 initially was designed to direct insurance companies to pay a dentist directly for services rendered to a patient, but now includes all medical services. Also absent from this legislation are consumer protections. Under this bill, a patient’s insurance company will pay the provider directly, leaving the patient responsible for any additional amount billed by the provider. This is a win for providers and their health systems, not Read more

 

DeLuca votes “yes” on budget bill; cites substantial support for education as one of the driving factors in his decision

(Jun 25, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, June 25 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, cast a “yes” vote for House Bill 790, the General Appropriations bill, saying that while it’s not perfect, the bill does provide increased support for educational services and other amenities: “This bill certainly doesn’t achieve what we want it to do, but it does move Pennsylvania forward in some significant ways,” DeLuca said. “Most importantly, in my view, is the increased support for educational progress at all levels: Pre-K and early childhood education; elementary and secondary basic education; special education; career and technical education; job training; a 2% increase for public universities and community colleges; more funds to support students through PHEAA; school security funding; and library funding, so that our children and adults know what is going on now as well as what has occurred in the past. “As you’ve heard others say, it does not raise taxes and puts a substantial amount in the rainy-day fund, which helps protect us when things get tough – just like a home budget. It also reduces the waiting list for services to people with intellectual disabilities and families seeking help with affordable childcare. “I support this budget for the good things it does. There are many more things we all need to work on, including an increase to the minimum wage. I was hopeful this budget would include a minimum wage increase, but Read more

 

Slide repair on Hulton Road to begin July 1

(Jun 25, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

I am pleased to announce that PennDOT has officially awarded a contract for the slide repair on Hulton Road in Penn Hills. Work is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 1. The road will be closed at the project site until Nov. 9. Detours will be posted. Meanwhile, PennDOT on Tuesday began drainage improvement work on Poketa Road between Claymont Drive and Hulton Road in Penn Hills. The roadway will be closed weekdays from 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. through Friday, July 12. Detours are posted. Feel free to contact my office if you have any questions regarding this matter. Read more

 

DeLuca applauds UPMC/Highmark decision

(Jun 24, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, June 24 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, today released a statement following the announcement that UPMC and Highmark have entered into a 10-year contract that will extend facilities to Highmark-insured patients: “As Democratic Chairman of the House Insurance Committee, I am proud to announce a 10-year deal between UPMC and Highmark that was orchestrated by state Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Governor Tom Wolf. “I have also worked tirelessly, holding hearings in Pittsburgh, introducing legislation, and speaking out publicly to put pressure on UPMC to come to their senses and contract with Highmark for the good of our region and its residents. “Today, it all finally came together, and we should all be grateful to the attorney general and Governor Wolf for finally closing the deal. It has been a long eight years for the people of western Pennsylvania and, finally today, we can breathe a sigh of relief moving forward. “However, I’d like to note that while this is excellent news, contracts have yet to be worked out, so the details are still to come. Please contact your health insurer before making any important health care decisions.” Read more

 

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side

(Jun 14, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

Health care.It’s a topic that is regularly and aggressively debated each day. You know the argument, “universal health care is more efficient and cost effective. The United States should convert to that type of system.” Read more

 

DeLuca saddened by court ruling on consent decree

(Jun 14, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, June 14 – On Friday, the Commonwealth Court announcement that it would not intervene in the impending June 30 dissolution of the consent decree between UPMC and Highmark saddened state Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny. In a statement, the Insurance Committee Democratic chairman vowed to find a legislative answer: “It’s with disbelief and a heavy heart that I’ve learned that the Commonwealth Court is not going to step in and provide a way out of this ongoing, toxic feud between UPMC and Highmark, which ultimately will negatively affect many western Pennsylvania residents in the weeks and months to come. “It’s a tough pill to swallow knowing that even if we decide to take institutions like UPMC to court, and follow all the legal steps to enact change, nothing will change. The only way to truly enact change is to redraft and change laws. “This case still has a way to go as it makes its way through the courts, but in the meantime thousands of Pennsylvanians will now have to face the harsh reality of being cut off from their doctors and one-of-a-kind medical care. “We were all very hopeful when UPMC announced that despite the ongoing feud, they would allow patients undergoing cancer treatment to access their facilities, regardless of the name on their insurance cards. It was a glimpse of hope for some but left many unanswered questions for others who continue to suffer from other chronic health conditions. Read more

 

DeLuca applauds passing of H.B. 3, hoping for quick vote in state Senate

(Jun 11, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, June 11 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca, Democratic chairman of the House Insurance Committee, on Tuesday released the following statement on the passage of H.B. 3 , a bipartisan bill that would create an authority to operate a state-based health insurance exchange for Affordable Care Act (ACA) individual market plans, and enact a reinsurance program to reduce premium increases: “I am encouraged to see a bipartisan, consumer-oriented House bill quickly make its way through the House and move on to the state Senate. As Democratic chairman of the House Insurance Committee, I was happy to quickly move this bill out of the committee and on to the House floor for a near-unanimous vote. This is good legislation – the type of legislation our constituents put us in office to draft and vote on. “I sponsored this legislation because, quite frankly, it’s a no-brainer. This is a bill that gives the commonwealth the opportunity to operate its own exchange at a lower cost than the federal government, while also reducing premium increases. It also would allow for the creation of a state reinsurance program, which would allow insurers to offer their products at a cheaper price by limiting their exposure to high, unpredictable medical expenses. “We have a great opportunity to help roughly 400,000 people struggling to afford quality health insurance for themselves and their families at no additional cost to the taxpayer. It’s my sincere Read more

 

My 2019 Spring Newsletter

(Jun 07, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

Check out 2019 Spring Newsletter! Read more

 

DeLuca bill that adds stronger protections to life insurance products offered by fraternal benefit societies passes House

(Jun 04, 2019) Rep. Tony Deluca

HARRISBURG, June 4 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, on Tuesday announced that his legislation geared toward providing stronger protections to fraternal life insurance products passed the state House. DeLuca, Democratic chairman of the House Insurance Committee, said life insurance products offered by fraternal benefit societies do not receive the same protections as commercial insurance products purchased in the same market. His measure, H.B. 1016 , would provide stronger protections for fraternal members. “The commonwealth has nearly 500,000 fraternal members, and these fraternal benefit societies – which are not-for-profit membership organizations – help secure their members’ financial future by providing a variety of life insurance and retirement products,” DeLuca said. “However, they don’t receive the same protections as commercial insurance products. This bill would rectify that issue and ensure fraternal members enjoy stronger protections to their life insurance products. Specifically, H.B. 1016 would provide enhanced protections to fraternal insurance products by allowing for earlier regulatory intervention; enacting notification requirements to the state Insurance Department before assessments; creating a streamline process that allows for transfers of products to another fraternal; and if necessary, streamline liquidation. Deluca’s pro-consumer legislation, which was voted out of the Insurance Read more

 

Deluca asks Mayor Peduto, House members to honor late-Sen. John McCain by flying American flag on Aug. 25
Aug 22, 2019

ConnectCards coming to a senior center near you!
Aug 16, 2019

Flood plain or not, you can still get flood insurance
Aug 09, 2019

Residents, business owners: Low-interest loans available for flood damage
Aug 08, 2019

DeLuca to Insurance Commissioner: We need to keep fair health insurance rates in the individual market
Aug 05, 2019

Department of Health Launches eWIC Card to Make Access to Nutritious Food Easier in Southwest Pennsylvania
Jul 22, 2019

Reminding college students about the importance of the Meningitis vaccine
Jul 18, 2019

DeLuca: More than $87,000 in fresh food grants awarded to school district, charter school in 32nd Legislative District
Jul 15, 2019

DeLuca: Substantial tax credits, funding to go toward new retirement community in Penn Hills
Jul 12, 2019

DeLuca calls for state of emergency across Allegheny County
Jul 11, 2019

DeLuca applauds signing of H.B. 3, thanks governor, colleagues for their support
Jul 02, 2019

DeLuca: Republicans voted against consumer protections; bill would leave residents exposed to high medical costs
Jun 27, 2019

DeLuca votes “yes” on budget bill; cites substantial support for education as one of the driving factors in his decision
Jun 25, 2019

Slide repair on Hulton Road to begin July 1
Jun 25, 2019

DeLuca applauds UPMC/Highmark decision
Jun 24, 2019

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side
Jun 14, 2019

DeLuca saddened by court ruling on consent decree
Jun 14, 2019

DeLuca applauds passing of H.B. 3, hoping for quick vote in state Senate
Jun 11, 2019

My 2019 Spring Newsletter
Jun 07, 2019

DeLuca bill that adds stronger protections to life insurance products offered by fraternal benefit societies passes House
Jun 04, 2019