HARRISBURG, PA − August 28, 2026 —Bolstering the growing momentum for comprehensive, quality healthcare for all Pennsylvanians, today Healthcare4AllPA announced that State Senator Nikil Saval (D-1st Senatorial District) will be introducing the Pennsylvania Universal Healthcare Act to guarantee healthcare coverage to every resident of the Commonwealth.
In doing so, Saval joins similar efforts advanced in the Pennsylvania House by Representatives Greg Scott (D-54th House District) and Lindsay Powell (D-21st House District), who have worked tirelessly to advance legislation to ensure universal coverage.
“Healthcare is a human right for all, not just a privilege for those wealthy enough to afford it,” said Gavin S. Griffin, president of Healthcare4AllPA. “We are incredibly grateful to Senator Saval for bringing this fight to the floor of the Pennsylvania StateSenate. No Pennsylvanian should have to choose between paying their health insurance premium and paying their rent. Seeking necessary medical care should never jeopardize a family’s financial security.”
Under the proposed legislation in both the House and Senate, the Pennsylvania Department of Health would establish a publicly administered health insurance program, funded through a designated health trust fund within the State treasury. This program would guarantee comprehensive healthcare access to every resident of Pennsylvania, eliminating existing gaps that have left many people uninsured or underinsured.
“Every day, my office hears from constituents who are terrified at the prospect that they will not be able to provide for the health and safety of their loved ones,” said Saval, who serves as Democratic Chair of the Senate’s Urban Affairs & Housing Committee. “The federal government’s withdrawal of hundreds of billions in Medicaid funding has caused insurance premiums for households across the country to double, triple, and even quadruple, and resulted in many dropping their healthcare coverage completely. In Pennsylvania, we refuse to allow people to go without treatment simply because they cannot afford the high costs of care. Our people deserve comprehensive healthcare without exception.”
Like Senator Saval, Healthcare4AllPA believes that Pennsylvania has both the opportunity and responsibility to lead the nation in building a state-based, single-payer healthcare system that puts patients over profits. They also encourage every member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to join Senator Saval and Representatives Scott and Powell in supporting this legislation and urge the people of Pennsylvania to contact their own state legislators and demand they support the Pennsylvania Universal Healthcare Act today.
Read the full co-sponsorship memo at www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=49156.