Disability & Mental Health Summit was a success!!

Rep. Jen Mazzocco May 13, 2026 | 12:50 PM

The 13th Annual Disability & Mental Health Summit was a huge success!

I was honored to host Judge Dan Miller and Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty, who gave the keynote address focused on Autism in the Courts. I’m so thankful for the work Judge Miller did to create and grow this event over more than a decade, and I’m so glad that our office was able to continue it to its 13th year.

I introduced Justice Dougherty and Judge Miller with my co-hosts, Rep. Jessica Benham and Rep. Emily Kinkead. Reps. Benham and Kinkead understand the importance of this event and what it means for people across the region, and I’m thankful for their partnership and the hard work their offices put in to make it a success.

We also took part in a two-hour legislative panel with many of our fellow state lawmakers, discussing the homecare crisis and how higher education is addressing mental health needs for students. It was great to be able to share what we’re doing for families in Harrisburg, and I appreciate everyone who participated for their insight.

The best part of the day was talking with so many of you! From our comprehensive resource fair to our informational breakout sessions, I was able to meet so many of my constituents and connect them with valuable resources.

You can go to my website for more photos from the event, and we’re already counting down to the 14th Annual Summit in 2027!

Small Business Health Care Premiums Contribution Tax Credit

On Monday, my co-sponsorship memo alongside Reps. Arvind Venkat and Steve Samuelson circulated, with a plan to establish the Small Business Health Care Premiums Contribution Tax Credit.

We are in the thick of an affordability crisis, made worse by the expiration of premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. As of today, there has been a 20% decrease in health care plan enrollment on the ACA exchange nationwide, and in Pennsylvania, PENNIE enrollments dropped by 145,000 this year.

I’m introducing this legislation to help get more people back into affordable insurance plans. Specifically, I wanted to help the employees of small businesses that cannot afford to provide group health insurance policies, as they were hit particularly hard by the ACA cuts.

I want to thank my fellow Reps. for circulating this legislation with me, and I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill to make healthcare more affordable for more people in Pennsylvania!

Senior Farmers Market Voucher Program
now open in Allegheny County

Applications are now open for the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging 2026 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. This program helps income-eligible older adults by providing vouchers for usage at local farmers markets.

To be eligible for the program, you must be an age 60 or older resident of Allegheny County who meets income guidelines. Married couples may receive one set of vouchers for each individual.

For 2026, the agency is moving to an online application option and mail distribution process. Vouchers will be mailed directly to the senior – no proxy forms or in-person pickups will be required. My office has applications on hand, and my staff is happy to help you apply for this important program!

Voucher distribution will begin on June 1. Residents have until September 15 to apply for the program. To apply online, visit the Allegheny County website or stop in at my office between 8:30 and 4:30, Monday through Friday.

Paid Parental Leave for All

On Sunday, I joined SEIU, the Magee union nurses, community advocates and elected officials in support of paid parental leave in Allegheny County. I was proud to vote for the Family Care Act in March, and I’m happy to see members of county leadership pushing for paid family leave here in Allegheny County.

Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, our office is here to help. You can reach us by phone at 412-343-3870 or visit us at 650 Washington Road, Suite 102, in Mt. Lebanon.