PA Senate Dems Joined PA House Dems & the PA Women’s Health Caucus for Hearing on Maternal Health and Vaccine Safety Amidst COVID-19

Senator Katie Muth

Harrisburg – February 11, 2021 – Yesterday, at the request of PA Women’s Health Caucus chairs Sen. Judy Schwank (D- Berks), Sen. Amanda Cappelletti (D- Delaware/Montgomery), Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D- Montgomery), and Rep. Morgan Cephas (D- Philadelphia), the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee joined the House Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual public hearing to discuss maternal health amidst COVID-19.

“Since the beginning of this pandemic, I have been deeply concerned about both the physical and mental health of mothers and families experiencing childbirth and caring for babies in the shadow of COVID-19,” Schwank said. “We must ensure that mothers and babies are receiving the best care possible and are receiving the support and services they need to maintain a healthy life during and after this pandemic.”

Cappelletti continued, “Women, particularly women of color, have been the most detrimentally impacted by this pandemic. Not only must they navigate health and safety for themselves, but they are often tasked as the primary caregivers and providers for their children and family. As we discuss all aspects of healthcare and the impact COVID-19 has had on women, we must ensure that women’s health and the health of their children are not left out of this conversation.”

Dr. Richard Beigi, an OB-GYN practitioner and president of UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital, spoke about the many concerns that pregnant women have had about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, as pregnant women were not specifically included in the clinical trials. He said that he is an advocate for including women in clinical trials from the start.

“There is no reason to think that these vaccines are harmful to pregnant women or their babies,” Dr. Beigi said. He stated that while he has seen no evidence to not vaccinate pregnant women, those who chose not to get the vaccination during their pregnancy should still be fully supported in their informed decision.

During her testimony, Dr. Elizabeth Morgan, a maternal fetal health specialist at Baystate Health in Massachusetts, also spoke on the inclusion of women in clinical trials because, “…excluding women from vaccine trials during a global pandemic really is experimentation in itself when we know that they are at high risk of the disease.”

Dr. Catharine I. Paules, assistant professor of infectious diseases at Penn State Health College of Medicine and Penn State Health, has worked at the National Institute of Health with Dr. Anthony Fauci, and is currently pregnant herself. She shared that she chose to get the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 after her pregnancy was at full term, and after reading the medical literature from the United Kingdom about the variant of COVID-19 that anecdotally did have more severe impacts on pregnant women in that country.

Dr. Morgan shared that Baystate Health in conjunction with University of Massachusetts Medical School, has produced documents in 10 different languages to assist pregnant women who are currently making the decision on getting their COVID-19 vaccine, and that information has been downloaded over 35,000 times. She also stated that COVID-19 has had other significant determinants of health including low income, food and housing insecurity and crowding, among other factors.

“The fact that it’s 2021, and women of color are still three times as likely to die giving birth than other women is unacceptable,” said Rep. Cephas. “Access to quality and affordable care should never be based on skin color or zip code, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened these disparities. We must now take what we discussed at today’s hearing and turn it into substantial reforms that reduces improves maternal health outcomes across the commonwealth.”

Dr. Sindhu K. Srinivas, the Director of Obstetrical Services at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, said, “I am among many of us who are on the front lines of the maternal morbidity and mortality crisis and am deeply troubled by rising morbidity and mortality rates and associated disparities.”

Dr. Srinivas said that the COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the work of her and her colleagues to pilot programs out of Penn Medicine that assist women immediately after they have given birth and go home with their babies. She said that 50% of maternal morbidity and mortality actually occur in this time frame.

Increasing access to broadband internet, increasing digital literacy, making sure that technological resources are available in multiple languages, and making sure that telehealth is reimbursable by insurance companies and Medicaid are all essential in continuing to create programs that increase parity and decease maternal morbidity and mortality, said Dr. Srinivas.

Data has shown that there are an estimated 700 pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. every year, and three out of five of those deaths are preventable. While maternal mortality rates are declining in other developing countries, but they are rising across the United States.

“The public health social distancing protocols put in place during the pandemic have also increased social isolation. This has left new mothers lacking social support, social interactions, and help with childcare,” Dr. Rhonda C. Boyd, a psychologist in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said. “For perinatal women who are of color, especially Black, Latina, and Indigenous mothers, they are also disproportionally being impacted by family members contracting COVID-19 or dying from it. This situation understandably results in increased stress, worry and grief.”

“The impact of this pandemic on women with young families cannot be measured, however, with already limited access to high quality healthcare especially for pregnant persons of color, we must measure the impact to find ways to increase care now and in the future,” Rep. Daley said.

Demia Horsley, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Healthy Start, Inc. of Pittsburgh, stated the importance of doulas in the birthing and post-partum experience of many mothers. Horsley said that pandemic restrictions allowing only one person to be with a woman during birth can be detrimental to a woman’s health during and after birth. Horsley said that a partner may not be the best advocate for a women during the birth and postpartum process, and increasing access to doula services for prenatal, birthing, and postpartum women will create better outcomes in maternal mortality and addressing postpartum depression early and effectively.

“I am so grateful that we were able to bring together the PA Women’s Health Caucus, along with our colleagues in the House, to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on women’s health now, and the impact that this will have on healthcare system for years to come,” Sen. Katie Muth (D- Berks, Chester, Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, said. “These conversations and recommendations are essential to crafting the policies that will protect the lives of moms and babies.”

“Giving a voice to women’s health and the inequities amongst women of color is extremely important and I’m thrilled my colleagues are having these conversations. Concerns may seem routine for medical professionals, but it’s a whole new ballgame for women and we must make sure they are heard,” Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, Chair of the House Democratic Policy Committee, said.

Senators who attended included Senator Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D- Allegheny), Nikil Saval (D- Philadelphia), John Kane (D- Chester/Delaware), Wayne Fontana (D- Allegheny), Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny), Sharif Street (D- Philadelphia), and Tim Kearney (D- Chester/Delaware).

House Representatives who attended this hearing include Bridget Kosierowski (D- Lackawanna), Joe Webster (D- Montgomery), Melissa Shusterman (D- Chester/Montgomery), Mike Schlossberg (D- Lehigh), Elizabeth Fiedler (D- Philadelphia), Pam DeLissio (D- Montgomery/Philadelphia), Perry Warren (D- Bucks), Kyle Mullins (D- Lackawanna), Ben Sanchez (D- Montgomery), Pam Snyder (D- Greene/Fayette County/Washington), Mike Zabel (Delaware), Regina Young (D- Philadelphia County/Delaware), Joe Hohenstein (D- Philadelphia), Carol Hill-Evans (D- York), Dan Frankel (D- Allegheny), and Summer Lee (D- Allegheny).

Below are all who testified in today’s hearing:

Dr. Mark Woodland, M.S., M.D., FACOG, Chair & Clinical Professor OB-GYN, Reading Hospital/Tower Health, Interim Academic Chair, OBGYN Drexel University College of Medicine
Dr. Hyagriv “Hy” Simhan, UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital, Division Chief of Maternal Fetal Medicine
Dr. Richard Beigi, UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital, President, OB-GYN’
Dr. Aasta Mehta, M.D., M.P.P., FACOG – Philadelphia MMRC, Philadelphia Dept of Health, PA MMRC
Dr. Sindhu K. Srinivas, M.D., MSCE, Director of Obstetrical Services at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Vice Chair for Quality and Safety, Physician Lead, Women’s Health Service Line, Penn Medicine
Nicole Chaney, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Reading Hospital
Markita Glenn, Doula, Pettaway Pursuit Foundation
Dr. Elizabeth Morgan, Maternal Fetal Health Specialist, Baystate Health
Dr. Richard S. Legro, M.D, Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Public Health Sciences, Penn State Health College of Medicine and Penn State Health
Dr. Catharine I. Paules, M.D., Assistant Professor, Infectious Diseases, Penn State Health College of Medicine and Penn State Health
Dr. Rhonda C. Boyd, Ph.D., Psychologist in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Demia Horsley, M.P.H., CLC (DONA), LCCE, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Healthy Start, Inc.

The full recording of this hearing can be found at senatormuth.com/policy.

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Hello Residents of Senate District 44!

Serving as your State Senator is an honor — and a responsibility I take seriously as we navigate a time when our democracy is increasingly shaped by corporate power and concentrated wealth.

In 2025, the powers that be in Harrisburg struggled to deliver meaningful progress for Pennsylvanians while lobbyists and special interests continued to exert outsized influence over policy decisions. A four-month budget stalemate delayed critical funding for essential services and ultimately underfunded public education, community services, and public safety. I voted against the final budget because it fell short of meeting the needs of all Pennsylvanians.

At the same time, I witnessed something inspiring happening in Senate District 44 and across the Commonwealth: people of all ages and political affiliations standing together to defend their communities. Residents came together to challenge harmful industrial proposals, protect open space and water resources, and demand accountability from decision-makers. These efforts are not easy – standing up to powerful corporations and entrenched political systems rarely is. But your advocacy matters and it makes a difference. I am deeply grateful to everyone who continues to speak out, increase public awareness on public health impacts, attend meetings, participate in public comment, organize neighbors, and refuse to take a backseat to corporate takeover. Your courage and civic participation strengthens our communities and our democracy.

In the year ahead, my focus remains clear: advancing policies that protect working people, strengthen public institutions, ensure corporations contribute their fair share, and safeguard our environment for future generations. A critical part of that work is public safety. Our firefighters, EMS providers, and law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe, and they deserve reliable funding, modern equipment, strong training programs, and the resources necessary to respond to increasingly complex emergencies. I will continue working to secure sustainable support for our emergency responders so they are never forced to do more with less.

Preparedness must also evolve to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Communities across Pennsylvania are facing more frequent severe storms, flooding, extreme heat, and other climate-related impacts, while at the same time many regions are experiencing increased industrial activity and infrastructure expansion. We must ensure that emergency planning, hazard mitigation, and disaster response systems keep pace with these realities. That means investing in climate resilience, strengthening infrastructure, improving coordination across agencies, and ensuring first responders have the training and tools needed to address industrial incidents and emerging risks safely. Protecting public safety requires proactive planning, not reactive crisis management.

We are living in a moment when the direction of our communities – and our democracy – is being contested. The path forward requires engaged residents, informed voters, and leaders willing to challenge the status quo. Together, we can continue building communities that are healthier, more equitable, and more resilient.

Thank you for your trust, your advocacy, and your commitment to making Senate District 44 stronger.

With gratitude and determination,

In service,

PROTECTING RATEPAYERS FROM DATA CENTER BUILDOUT

I recently introduced legislation to address the rising cost of household electric bills as the rapid buildout of data centers continues across all corners of the Commonwealth. Senate Bill 1114 – known as the Pennsylvania Ratepayer Protection Act – would establish a dedicated rate class for large load customers, including hyperscale data centers, and require those entities, not residents or small businesses, to fully cover the cost of their transmission infrastructure buildout and operations.

We need to take steps to protect ratepayers by preventing unfair cost-shifting onto residents, small businesses, schools, and local governments by ensuring that data center infrastructure is funded by the entities that develop, operate and benefit from them. The Pennsylvania Ratepayer Protection Act is about standing up for residential consumers as our electric grid faces growing pressure from massive new energy users. If a company wants to use enormous amounts of electricity, it should pay its fair share and meet strong, enforceable standards.

Senate Bill 1114 creates a dedicated Large Load Customer Class in Pennsylvania that will apply to new or expanding data centers with a peak demand of 20 megawatts (MW) or more. This legislation will also mandate Cost-Responsibility Contracts for all data center facilities, including power plants for co-located data centers requiring long-term service agreements of no less than 20 years to ensure facilities cover the full infrastructure costs they generate. The bill also empowers the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to set cost-allocation rules, monitor compliance, ensure reliability, and protect non-industrial customers from rate increases.

Pennsylvanians deserve real transparency, accountability, and consumer protections. Residential and small business ratepayers shouldn’t be left subsidizing big tech while those companies continue to rake in record profits. Senate Bill 1114 will help build public trust and ensure utility rate equity by keeping costs stable and affordable. It is time that our legislature finally stands up for the individuals we represent and not the corporations and billionaires that continue to loot and pollute our communities and our natural resources.

Senate Bill 1114 was referred to the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee where it awaits action.

PROTECT PA: DATA CENTER MORATORIUM

Last month, I circulated a cosponsor memo for legislation that would establish a three-year statewide moratorium on hyperscale data center development. The moratorium would also include data center infrastructure such as new power generating facilities and utility transmission infrastructure required to power hyperscale data centers.

Pennsylvania municipalities are being infiltrated by multi-billion dollar corporations looking to build massive, energy intensive hyperscale data center campuses for artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced cloud computing needed to run and train generative AI models. Industry supporters, including state and federal officials on both sides of the aisle, describe hyperscale data center campuses as low-impact, warehouse-like developments that will bring in endless pots of gold to local communities and school districts. In reality, these massive industrial complexes operate around the clock producing constant noise, degrading air quality, draining our electricity supply, and depleting our local drinking water resources. A single site can use as much electricity as a small city and millions of gallons of water each day.

Data center proliferation is another boom-and-bust corporate strategy to exploit communities for profit, including passing off the costs for data center transmission infrastructure buildout onto consumers. In 2024 alone, Pennsylvania ratepayers paid $492 million in their monthly electric bills for data center transmission infrastructure and faced increased monthly rates in 2025 and early 2026.

Southeastern Veterans Center This invasion of proposals for hyperscale data center campuses across our Commonwealth is putting local governments in an impossible position. If they deny or restrict proposed industrial projects that increase the risk of harm to the community, then they are threatened with lawsuits by big tech companies. If they approve them, they put their communities’ health and well-being and the ecosystem in harm’s way. Local elected officials need more time to evaluate risk, enact protective ordinances, update their zoning regulations, and other critical measures to ensure public safety and well-being. Right now, each individual data center proposal is being reviewed in isolation even though the impacts add up across the state.

By enacting a three-year moratorium, this legislation would require Pennsylvania decision makers to take time to do meaningful research and planning that should have been done before this data center development rush began. It is a pause to require state agencies to conduct real impact studies and put clear rules in place that are based on health and safety standards, not industry standards. The moratorium would also ensure that local governments and emergency response officials have the necessary time to fully assess the impacts of data center development and to enact protections to ensure the residents across this state are protected from corporate exploitation and industrial health harm.

Pennsylvania cannot afford to repeat past mistakes – approving large-scale industrial development first and confronting the consequences later. A three-year moratorium is a measured, responsible, and necessary step to protect public health, safety, fiscal stability, and environmental integrity while ensuring that future decisions are informed, coordinated, and equitable.

STOP THE BILLIONAIRE TAKEOVER: MAKE MULTISTATE CORPORATIONS PAY TAXES IN PA

In the fall, I joined several lawmakers, unions and statewide advocacy organizations to announce the “Tax Billionaires, Fund PA” plan – a bold, fair revenue proposal that is expected to raise at least $4 billion in new revenue by taking direct aim at billionaire greed and corporate tax dodging.

We are collectively demanding that state government leaders implement a fair tax system. This is our government, not a trust fund for billionaire bros and their enablers. 75% of multistate corporations doing business in our Commonwealth pay ZERO dollars in corporate net income tax. These for-profit companies use our public infrastructure and need to pay their fair share in taxes.

The proposals in our legislative package include bills to close corporate tax loopholes and establish a system of combined reporting (SB1208); establish a digital ad tax on big tech companies making astronomical profits by collecting private data from Pennsylvanians to sell targeted ads (SB1199); and to increase the rate of taxation for passive income and assets to ensure the wealthiest 1% of Pennsylvanians are paying their fair share.

If state leaders would implement proposals requiring big corporations to pay their fair share in taxes, we could fairly and adequately fund our schools, emergency services, public transit, infrastructure and so much more – without asking working Pennsylvanians to carry all the weight. Working Pennsylvanians – nurses, bus drivers, teachers, electricians, emergency response workers – all pay more taxes than these corporate giants.

Pennsylvanians deserve fairness and dignity. It’s time for decision makers in the halls of power to take action.

Click here to watch video of my remarks on the Tax Billionaires, Fund Pennsylvania plan!

SD44 PROJECTS RECEIVE OVER $43 MILLION IN STATE GRANTS IN 2025

Communities across the three counties in SD44 received more than $43 million in state funding in 2025. These resources positively impacted all of our communities by improving roadways, enhancing recreation opportunities, and supporting local organizations. This funding is critical to improving community resources, public safety and our overall quality of life.

Some of the highlights included $6.5 million in funding through the Statewide LSA Program. These resources will help repair aging roads and bridges, upgrade stormwater and sewer systems, enhance emergency response capabilities, expand access to parks and trails, and modernize township facilities that residents rely on every day. I have endless gratitude for our local first responders, municipal employees, and government employees who continue to protect and advocate for our communities.

And already in 2026, we have seen several investments in our community, including over $4.2 million in funding through the Multimodal Transportation Fund to improve road and pedestrian safety projects. SD44 projects also received over $3.7 million in PA Small Water and Sewer Grants in January to modernize wastewater treatment facilities, and strengthen stormwater management.

And in mid-January, communities across our district received over $3.6 million in grant funding through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to make long-overdue improvements to parks and trails, expand access to outdoor recreation, and create safe, welcoming spaces for people of all ages to enjoy.

For more information on these grants and all other local state funding awards, visit www.SenatorMuth.com/grants.

OVER 300 VETERANS ATTEND SENATOR MUTH’S ANNUAL VET EXPO

In the fall, we hosted our 6th Annual Veterans Expo at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center! With over 70 participating organizations and service providers, the event connected veterans and their families to critical resources, benefits, and support.

We were honored to welcome Major General John Pippy and County Commissioner Marian Moskowitz as special guests, and we’re deeply grateful to all the agencies, vendors, and volunteers who made this event possible. Most of all—thank you to the veterans and families who joined us. Your service and sacrifices inspire us every day.

We will be announcing the date for our 2026 Veterans Expo soon!

Click here to watch video from our 2025 Veterans Expo!

IN THE CAPITOL & IN OUR COMMUNITY

PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES FROM INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

Over the last year, I have been participating in dozens of public meetings and public hearings across SD44 and in neighboring communities held by local governments, state agencies, and regulatory agencies. Every few weeks, there is a new inquiry or formal proposal for hyperscale data center infrastructure in SEPA and in other areas across the state. I am honored to stand alongside my constituents and residents in neighboring communities including Limerick Township, East Vincent Township and other communities facing corporate exploitation. Hyperscale data centers and other energy infrastructure do not belong next to people’s homes.

The people of Pennsylvania should not have to fear being poisoned in their own community for the sake of corporate profit. I have also attended hearings and shared the concerns of residents in Honey Brook Township, Caernarvon Township and West Nantmeal Township regarding the environmental and public health hazards about anaerobic co-digesters. Because of public participation, all three of these municipalities enacted protective setback requirements.

SHREDDING EVENT & FOOD DRIVE IN NORTH COVENTRY

My team and I co-hosted a shredding event and food drive in North Coventry along with Rep. Paul Friel’s office and emergency responders from North Coventry Police and Fire Departments. We shredded three tons of paper and collected dozens of boxes full of food donations that went to local families in need.

GIRL SCOUTS HOST TROOP PA AT STATE CAPITOL

It’s always a great day in the PA Capitol when the Girl Scouts visit! The annual Troop PA event provides an opportunity to show the girls the various possibilities in public service and leadership by engaging with women leaders in state government.. As a former Girl Scout, I was thrilled to introduce the group as my guests in the Senate. I want to give a special shout out to Ansika from Downingtown for representing SD44 at Troop PA! Click here to watch video of my remarks introducing the Girl Scouts as my guests during Senate session.

2026 HIGH SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL KICKS OFF

In mid-January, I joined dozens of students from across SD44 at the Chester County Intermediate Unit to kick off the third year of our High School Advisory Council. This year, our program has 50 students that represent all 10 school districts in my Senate District. Through the program, students participate in monthly meetings to learn about state government policy and issue advocacy. I am looking forward to hosting our student group in Harrisburg this spring!

SPEAKING OUT AGAINST ICE RAIDS IN SD44

I joined state, county, and local leaders in Lower Providence Township in February to respond to the local ICE raids. Every single day, we are watching immigrants and their families be wrongfully targeted by masked, violent federal ICE agents. These raids are not just “enforcement actions.” They are traumatic, destabilizing, and send shockwaves through entire neighborhoods and leave families living in fear. Immigration enforcement should focus on genuine threats to public safety, not on our friends and neighbors who are lawfully present and contributing to our communities every day. We cannot allow fear to become the operating principle of our government. Our communities and our nation deserve better. Click here to watch video of my remarks.

ADVOCATING FOR FAIR AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Last month, I joined Senator Carolyn Comitta and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission at a Capitol press conference to highlight our Senate Bill 1152 which would prohibit property owners from denying housing to individuals based solely on their lawful source of income, including housing vouchers, pension payments, child support, and public assistance. If a tenant has the financial ability to pay their rent in full and on time, it should not matter how they legally earn the money. Housing is a human right and I will continue to work to ensure that every Pennsylvanian has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. Click here to watch my remarks at the press conference!

View all of the legislation I am sponsoring!