As part of the state’s budget, funding will increase to $4.34 million for Avonworth School District, $7.69 million for Hampton School District and $17.26 million for North Allegheny School District, making a 10.7 percent increase, 5.5 increase and 8.3 increase in investments for the three school districts within the 30th Legislative District. It also allocates $100 million in unspent federal COVID-19 relief funds to provide grants for mental health services at schools. Read more
“By establishing the Medical Debt Relief Program, we can alleviate medical debt for working Pennsylvanians, improve health care institutions and providers’ finances and reduce the costs for all Pennsylvanians,” Venkat said. “As an emergency physician, I’ve witnessed patients delay medical care due to the rising cost of health care, to the point of dying as a result. Through this bill, it is my hope that we can alleviate Pennsylvanians’ medical debt so that they may receive the health care they need.” Read more
“Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States,” Venkat said. “It keeps thousands of patients from seeking necessary medical care. I’ve personally seen patients who died as a result of medical debt and not seeking necessary medical care, and so this is a real opportunity for us to help so many working Pennsylvanians.” Read more
A piece I wrote recently that challenges the belief that bipartisanship is impossible in state legislatures. Read more
"The idea here is that with a small state appropriation, we can give the resources to an entity like RIP Medical Debt (a 501 charity focused on the elimination of personal medical debt) that can partner with willing health systems to purchase distressed debt and then forgive it. That’s a win-win for everybody. It’s a win for patients because the program is targeted toward those whose household income is up to 400% of the federal poverty level or whose medical debt exceeds 5% of their annual income — which, conservatively, is up to 1 million Pennsylvanians. It’s a win for the health care systems because they will be able to collect some small amount of what is largely unrecoverable debt." Read more
Venkat, the only physician in the General Assembly, will now work with colleagues for full House passage and enactment into law. Read more
“Since taking office earlier this year, I made the commitment to work in a bipartisan fashion with my colleagues on behalf of my district and Pennsylvania,” Venkat said. “As the state representative for McCandless, Franklin Park, Ohio Township, Kilbuck, Emsworth, Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights and western Hampton Township, I intend to work for all constituents. In a time of political divide, it is important to meet in the middle to work together to pass legislation that helps all Pennsylvanians.” Read more
The event will help motorists determine if their license plates are illegible and help them apply for a free replacement, if necessary. Read more
“I am pleased that my colleagues and I advanced a budget that will invest in all Pennsylvanians and, particularly, increase our investment in the Avonworth, North Allegheny and Hampton school districts while protecting against property tax increases,” Venkat said. “There is much work to do after Monday’s vote to fight for medical debt relief, increase access and affordability in health care and invest in our vital emergency medical services, police and fire agencies and all the municipalities I represent.” Read more
Text of state Rep. Arvind Venkat's speech at the at the 77th Annual Avonworth Community Memorial Day Commemoration. Read more
While the man accused of shooting and killing 11 people inside a Pittsburgh synagogue currently stands trial, members of the group Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence are hard at work pushing for stricter gun control legislation in Pennsylvania. Read more
At the end of May, the Pennsylvania House will have a final vote on four pieces of gun safety legislation. Read more
In a victory for and celebration of Pennsylvanians of South Asian descent, the House today passed legislation that would designate Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, as a state holiday, according to the bill’s prime sponsor, state Rep. Arvind Venkat. Read more
Together, we can help bring relief to our friends and neighbors who are being crushed by the colossal weight of debt incurred through the American health care system. Read more
Argues $15 million could alleviate up to $1.5 billion in medical debt. Read more
Will use his legislative position to work toward safer communities. Read more
Will improve multiple projects across the community. Read more
Will improve pedestrian safety and make upgrades to roadways. Read more
State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, announced today that he has been appointed to three Pennsylvania House standing committees – Health, Insurance and Professional Licensure – for the 2023-24 legislative session. Read more
Legislation would prohibit registered sexually violent predators from residing within 2,500 feet of a public school, private school, parochial school, pre-school, or childcare facility. Read more
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