Northwest PA News

The House Health Committee in Harrisburg, led by Republican Chair Rep. Kathy L. Rapp, has unanimously supported a bill aiming to expand the Cancer Drug Repository Program. The legislation will permit healthcare facilities and individuals to donate prescription drugs to the existing program. This measure, sponsored by Rep. Bryan Cutler, seeks to enhance safety by ensuring donated drugs conform to stringent criteria prior to their acceptance and subsequent distribution to those in need. The program remains voluntary.

Rapp commented, “I applaud the prime sponsor, who was also the sponsor of the current cancer drug repository law, for seeking to improve on this program and expand its scope to cover more prescription drugs and to also increase awareness for this valuable program.” She emphasized the program’s benefits, stating, “Unused prescriptions can be responsibly removed from homes in which they’re no longer needed, while those in need receive the prescriptions they require without paying a premium.”

Additionally, the committee has passed a measure mandating the Department of Health to devise a consistent form for hospitals concerning financial assistance policies. Hospitals with charity care policies must relay this information to the Department, which will then be made available on its website.

Lastly, the committee approved 19 House resolutions, including one by Rapp, recognizing May 11-17, 2025, as “National Hospital Week” in Pennsylvania.