Rep. Frank Farry recently accepted the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association Legislative Leadership Award for his continued legislative commitment to human services.
“I am honored and humbled to accept this award,” said Farry. “As chairman of the state House Human Services Committee, I have worked closely with many people whose mission is to help and serve our communities and those in need. Being recognized by these folks means a lot.”
RCPA presents the Legislative Leadership Award to an individual who has shown significant leadership and commitment to legislative issues that benefit health and human service providers and the individuals who receive those services.
As chairman, Farry led several efforts to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians in need. He has focused on improving mental health services, bettering student mental health services, increasing transparency among healthcare providers to provide more successful outcomes of treatment, protecting those with disabilities and improving warm hand-off programs to help those struggling with addiction.
Throughout the 2021-22 legislative session, Farry held various committee hearings to shed light on issues affecting individuals with disabilities, those struggling with mental health issues and those battling addiction. Healthcare professionals and local representatives testified, ensuring Pennsylvanians across the state were being heard through legislative initiatives in the committee.
Through the hearings under Farry’s directive, the committee passed several bills that became law, including House Bill 1561, now Act 32, and House Bill 1563, now Act 33, to allow providers, facilities and health plans to share patient information with the patient’s approval to improve care for those seeking mental health care and those battling addiction.
“Since the pandemic, we have seen an especially high spike in opioid use, the growing need for mental health services and amplified needs for our disabled citizens. We recognized these needs in the House Human Services Committee and took each one very seriously,” said Farry. “I am especially proud of our committee members for acting on each piece of legislation with urgency and importance.
“I want to thank the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association for its unwavering support and dedication in bettering human services by stepping up to the needs in our communities.”
