Health and Human Services
One basic tenet underpins the efforts of the Senate Democrats: health care is a human right. As a country and a state, we have a moral and ethical obligation to provide access to healthcare to deliver the best opportunity for people reach their full potential.
Whether it’s battling drug and alcohol addiction, treating mental health issues, addressing permanent, chronic, and high-risk health problems, or simply helping a sick child, we all confront circumstances that require health care throughout our lives. We are better off using collective action than fighting them on our own.
Providing insurance, access to safe hospitals and services, and ensuring equitable opportunities to receive care are at the heart of the Senate Democrats agenda.
We must:

Protect the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
ObamaCare has covered 20 million previously uninsured individuals. Now Republicans want to take that coverage away. ObamaCare has strengthened the healthcare industry and provided new opportunities to millions. However, should the worst happen, and the Republican Congress or federal courts eliminate ObamaCare we will pass legislation to:
→ Continue to require coverage of pre-existing conditions
→ Cover essential health benefits
→ Cover the children up to the age of 26 on their parent’s health insurance
→ Protect Medicaid expansion
→ Prevent insurance companies from imposing annual or lifetime limits on coverage.

Women Have a Right to Reproductive Autonomy
It is not the job of government to stand between a woman and her doctor, but we consistently see attempts from anti-choice legislators to restrict access to abortion. We will continue to fight all of these attempts.

Guarantee that Women and Minorities Have Access to High Quality, Affordable Healthcare
If health care is a right, it must be provided to all, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, age, or sexuality. For too long, health care has not been equitably available to women and minorities. Insurance and hospital access has been denied, too expensive, or not covered necessary services in the past. We will fight to ensure everyone has equal access in the future.

Fight Opioid Abuse and Addiction
The opioid crisis has been declared a national and state emergency. We will fight to:
→ Establish more entry points and beds for treatment;
→ Strengthen prescription writing guidelines;
→ Make naloxone even more readily available to treat overdoses;
→ Allow families to petition for mandatory treatment of their addicted loved ones;
→ Work with pharmaceutical companies to identify solutions and prevention methods for addiction;
→ Impose an assessment on the wholesale import of opioids into Pennsylvania; and
→ Increase educational addiction programming in schools.

Fight for CHIP
The Children’s Health Insurance Program covers 180,000 kids in Pennsylvania and 9 million nationally. The Republicans have turned it into a political football by using it a vehicle for discrimination and political leverage in Washington D.C. We must continue to fund the program and ensure its existence on the state level.

Ensure Additional Funding for Human Service Block Grants
Moving to a block grant has provided counties with much needed flexibility to address specific concerns such as mental health, drug and alcohol treatment, child welfare services, homelessness, and intellectual disabilities. However, we need more resources to truly address the scope of the problem. Huge cuts were made to these programs under the Corbett Administration that we are still trying to dig out from. The Senate Democrats want more money to go to our counties to help address these pressing issues.

Gun Violence is a Public Health Crisis
One that We Can Address Through Violence Prevention Policy.
→ Ban Assault Weapons – We must prohibit ownership of assault weapons such as the AR-15 including its high capacity ammunition feeding devices and other accessories, as they have become the tool of choice in mass murders.
→ Extreme Risk Protection Orders – This would allow courts to order an extreme risk protection order (ERPO) if a person is demonstrating dangerous behavior, providing much needed protection to the public. Such an order would temporarily suspend an individual’s access to firearms if there is documented evidence that a person is
threatening to harm themselves or others.

Mental Health in Schools
Recognizing the particular vulnerability that exists in our schools, every school should provide school psychologists, school counselors, and school social workers to meet the mental health needs of their students.

Universal Background Checks
Currently certain gun show purchases and person-to-person sales do not require a basic background check. Every firearm sale in Pennsylvania needs to undergo a background check.
Our Members at Work
Comitta Visits Upper Main Line YMCA to Announce Funding for STEM And Environmental Education Programs
Berwyn, PA − August 1, 2022 – Children and young people attending summer camps at the YMCA of the Greater Brandywine will now have access to even more innovative environmental education and STEM programs thanks to funding secured by state Senator Carolyn Comitta....
Sen. Schwank Issues Statement on Reversal of Roe V. Wade
Reading − June 24, 2022 − The following is a statement from state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th) condemning today’s reversal of Roe V. Wade. “Today’s ruling is a severe blow to women across the country. A crucial right that has allowed women to make their own health care...
Sen. Lindsey Williams Release Statement on SCOTUS Roe v. Wade Decision
Pittsburgh, Pa. − June 24, 2022 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade: I am completely devastated over today’s Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health...
Senator Nikil Saval’s Statement on U.S. Supreme Court’s Extremist Ruling in Dobbs V. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
Philadelphia, PA June 24, 2022 — Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) released a statement today on the U.S. Supreme Court’s extremist ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, overturning the constitutional right to abortion and marking the largest...
Senator Jay Costa Issues Statement on SCOTUS Roe v. Wade Decision
Harrisburg, PA – June 24, 2022 – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Senator Jay Costa issued the following statement in response to the US Supreme Courts’ decision to overturn Roe v. Wade: “I am disheartened by the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Roe v. Wade....
Senators Collett & Boscola Seek to Streamline and Speed Up Nurse Licensure Exam Process
Harrisburg, Pa. − June 16, 2022 − After hearing countless complaints and concerns from recent nursing school graduates attempting to get licensed in Pennsylvania, Senator Maria Collett, RN (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) and Senator Lisa Boscola (D-18 Lehigh/Northampton)...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Announces Three Education Bills Aimed at Improving Student Mental Health
(Pittsburgh, Pa.) June 15, 2022 --- Senator Lindsey Williams announced today that she is the prime co-sponsor of three pieces of legislation aimed at improving student mental health. These bills seek to put more school-based mental health care programs and...
Tartaglione’s SB 617 Passes Senate, Heads to House
Harrisburg, PA – June 15, 2022 – Today, Senate Bill 617, legislation sponsored by Senator Christine Tartaglione, which would extend federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protections to siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren in certain and...
Senator Collett Joins Senator Judy Ward as Co-Chair of Rare Disease Caucus
Harrisburg, Pa. - February 28, 2022 — On World Rare Disease Day, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has announced she will join Senator Judy Ward (R-30) as Co-Chair of Pennsylvania’s legislative Rare Disease Caucus. "It is my honor to join the Rare Disease...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Releases Statement Supporting Striking UPMC Workers
Pittsburgh, PA – November 18, 2021 – Senator Lindsey M. Williams released the following statement today: I’m proud to stand with the striking workers of UPMC. These Healthcare Heroes have gone far too long without fair pay, safe working conditions, affordable...
Statement: Senator Santarsiero Applauds Supreme Court Decision on Obamacare
BUCKS COUNTY − June 17, 2021 − The following statement is attributable to Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) in response to the United State Supreme Court Decision on the Affordable Care Act: “Today’s Supreme Court decision in California v. Texas sends a clear...
Democratic State Senators Reintroduce Bills to Protect Quality, Stable Health Care in PA
HARRISBURG – January 28, 2021 – State Senators Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Maria Collett (D-Montgomery/Bucks), Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), and Tim Kearney (D-Delaware), reintroduced package of bills to ensure Pennsylvanians maintain quality, stable...
PA Senate Democrats Announce Series of Virtual Health Care Enrollment Events
Statewide, Pa. − November 9, 2020 − Pennsylvania Senate Democrats today announced a series of virtual health care enrollment events to help constituents through the process of selecting an insurance plan through the new Pennsylvania state exchange, Pennie. The...
Senate Approves Boscola Bill that Would Qualify More Nurses for Work in PA
Harrisburg, June 24, 2020 – The Pennsylvania Senate today unanimously approved State Senator Lisa Boscola’s legislation (Senate Bill 655) that would cut red tape and qualify more nurses for licensure in Pennsylvania. “Joining this Nurse Licensure Compact will expand...
Wheatley, Hughes hold event recognizing National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, February 5, 2020 – State Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny, and state Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-Philadelphia/Montgomery, today held an event in Harrisburg recognizing Feb. 7, 2020, as National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in Pennsylvania. “We...
Senate Approves Sen. Boscola’s Physical Therapist Compact Bill
HARRISBURG, February 5, 2020 – The state Senate today unanimously approved Sen. Lisa Boscola’s (D-Lehigh/Northampton) legislation that would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Physical Therapist Compact (PTC). To date, 23 states have adopted legislation to join the...
Senator Santarsiero Responds to Suicide Prevention Task Force Report
BUCKS COUNTY — January 15, 2020 — The following statement is attributable to Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) in response to the release of the initial report from Governor Wolf’s Suicide Prevention Task Force: The initial report from Governor Wolf’s Suicide...
Senator Iovino and Senate Colleagues Request Action on Legislation to Protect Quality and Stable Healthcare in PA
HARRISBURG – January 7, 2020 – Today, Senators Pam Iovino (D – Allegheny & Washington), Vincent Hughes (D -Philadelphia & Montgomery), Steve Santarsiero (D - Bucks), Maria Collett (D - Montgomery & Bucks), and Tim Kearney (D – Delaware & Chester)...
Senator Haywood Opposes Restrictions on Women’s Right to Choose
Harrisburg – November 18, 2019 – Democratic Chair of the PA Senate Health and Human Services Committee State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) released the following statement opposing Down Syndrome abortion legislation: “Termination of a pregnancy is an...
Senator Maria Collett Highlights Pennsylvania’s Primary Care Loan Repayment Program
North Wales, Pa. – November 18, 2019 – Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) would like to call attention to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s recent notice of requests for applications under the Pennsylvania Primary Care Loan Repayment Program. ...