Senator announces for new payroll tax in Pennsylvania 'Universal Healthcare' bill: memo

local21news.com · September 9, 2026

# Senator announces for new payroll tax in Pennsylvania 'Universal Healthcare' bill: memo

Published: 2026-09-09T09:36:58-04:00 Source: local21news.com (local21news.com) Language: en

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# Senator announces for new payroll tax in Pennsylvania 'Universal Healthcare' bill: memo

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by Matthew Duckworth

Wed, September 9, 2026 at 9:36 AM

Updated Wed, September 9, 2026 at 9:46 AM

A Pennsylvania senator announced their plan to introduce legislation that would provide healthcare coverage to all Pennsylvania residents, according to a memo. (FILE)

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PENNSYLVANIA (WHP) — A Pennsylvania senator announced their plan to introduce legislation that would provide healthcare coverage to all Pennsylvania residents, according to a memo.

Sen. Nikil Saval (D-1) announced his plans to introduce the " PA Universal Healthcare Act" in response to the 28 million people he said are uninsured in the Commonwealth.

> Across the country and here in Pennsylvania, families are paying far more for healthcare while receiving far less for it than households in peer countries.

Saval said nearly half of all families nationwide consider healthcare costs to be a burden, citing the reported $1.8 billion in medical debt held by Pennsylvania.

The bill would establish the Office of Healthcare (the Office) within the Department of Health, which would be tasked with creating a universal single-payer health system in Pennsylvania, Saval wrote in the memo.

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According to Saval, the Office would collect and distribute money for covered services to eligible participants, who must either live in the Commonwealth or work at least 20 hours in Pennsylvania.

This coverage would be provided without copays or deductibles and would be funded through a payroll tax, according to the memo.

Saval said this tax would cost the majority of Pennsylvanians less than they currently pay for their health insurance premiums.

"My plan is an effective, cost-efficient approach to care provision for our constituents, our government, and ultimately our healthcare system—and it is one that can always prioritize provider quality and patient experience above all else," wrote Saval.

He attributed excessive healthcare costs to "bloated executive salaries" as well as duplicative administrative costs and shareholder demands, issues Saval said would be eliminated by unifying the administration of healthcare under the Office.

The bill has not yet been submitted to the Senate for consideration.

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