Jan. 23, 2018 Download
House Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to strengthen the fight against Pennsylvania’s opioid crisis by reducing the over-prescription of addictive painkilling drugs in the state’s Workers’ Compensation system. According to recent nationwide studies, Pennsylvania is the second highest state in the number and amount of opioid drugs prescribed per claim. To address this problem, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (Lehigh & Berks), has authored House Bill 18 that would require the Department of Labor and Industry to adopt changes to the official state formulary of medicines that may be prescribed for those within the Workers’ Compensation program. Currently, 21 states, including New York and California, have altered their drug formulary lists for health care payment systems to limit the use of opioids, and those states have significantly reduced the number of injured workers dependent on opioid painkillers.
Rep. Doyle Heffley(R-Carbon) offers his comments on the legislation.
Jan. 23, 2018 Download
House Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to strengthen the fight against Pennsylvania’s opioid crisis by reducing the over-prescription of addictive painkilling drugs in the state’s Workers’ Compensation system. According to recent nationwide studies, Pennsylvania is the second highest state in the number and amount of opioid drugs prescribed per claim. To address this problem, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (Lehigh & Berks), has authored House Bill 18 that would require the Department of Labor and Industry to adopt changes to the official state formulary of medicines that may be prescribed for those within the Workers’ Compensation program. Currently, 21 states, including New York and California, have altered their drug formulary lists for health care payment systems to limit the use of opioids, and those states have significantly reduced the number of injured workers dependent on opioid painkillers.
Rep. Judy Ward(R-Blair) offers her comments on the legislation.
Jan. 22, 2018 Download
Pennsylvania-born adoptees from around the country joined together at the state Capitol on Monday to celebrate their recently restored right to access their original birth certificates, which had been sealed since 1984. Legislation sponsored by Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) reinstated the rights of adult adoptees to apply for and receive a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate in Pennsylvania. Although Benninghoff’s bill became law on Nov. 3, 2016; it was not until Nov. 3, 2017 that the state Department of Health began actually processing those requests. Under previous Pennsylvania law, adoptees could petition the courts for a copy of their original birth certificate; however, that request could have been denied by a judge. Rep. Benninghoff, who also recently received his own birth certificate information through the new law, offered the following comments on how this has helped thousands of Pennsylvania born adoptees to reconnect with their roots.
Jan. 22, 2018 Download
Legislation that would criminalize the act of female genital mutilation received a powerful endorsement from the AHA Foundation in Harrisburg on Monday. Rep. Tom Murt (R-Montgomery), prime sponsor of House Bill 413, was joined by lawmakers and advocates of the legislation that would specifically make it a state crime to cut, circumcise, or excise the genitals of a female minor. Murt said Pennsylvania must join the 26 other states that have already outlawed this abhorrent practice. The AHA Foundation was established by Ayaan Hirsi Ali to promote liberty from female genital mutilation, honor violence, and forced marriages.
Jan. 19, 2018 Download
The weekly Legislative Report Program with Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R- Lehigh & Berks) is now available on the House Republican Radio News Service. You may use this brief public affairs report in its entirety or edit it down for actualities to use in your state government news coverage.
Jan. 19, 2018 Download
The Legislative Report Program with Rep. Matt Dowling (R- Fayette & Somerset) is now available on the House Republican Radio News Service. You may use this brief public affairs report in its entirety or edit it down for actualities to use in your state government news coverage.
Jan. 19, 2018 Download
The weekly Legislative Report Program with Representative Frank Ryan (R-Lebanon) is now available on the House Republican Radio News Service. You may use this brief public affairs report in its entirety or edit it down for actualities to use in your state government news coverage.
Jan. 19, 2018 Download
The weekly Legislative Report Program with Rep. Martin Causer (R-McKean, Potter & Cameron) is now available on the House Republican Radio News Service. You may use this brief public affairs report in its entirety or edit it down for actualities to use in your state government news coverage.
Jan. 19, 2018 Download
A new Legislative Report Program with Rep. Cris Dush (R-Jefferson & Indiana) is now available on the House Republican Radio News Service. You may use this brief public affairs report in its entirety or edit it down for actualities to use in your state government news coverage.
Jan. 19, 2018 Download
The Legislative Report Program with Rep. Lee James (R-Venango, Butler) is now available on the House Republican Radio News Service. You may use this brief public affairs report in its entirety or edit it down for actualities to use in your state government news coverage.