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What’s the status of abortion access in Pennsylvania?

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What’s the status of abortion access in Pennsylvania?


This story originally appeared on Spotlight PA.

Abortion is legal in Pennsylvania. And with a Democratic governor in power who supports access, it will almost certainly remain so for at least the next three years.

But that doesn’t mean it’s as easy to get an abortion in the commonwealth as supporters want it to be.

It also doesn’t mean that attempts to restrict the procedure are dead. Less than two years ago, Republican lawmakers launched a robust attempt to enshrine language in the state constitution that would have said there was no right to abortion. While the legislature has since changed significantly, many members who supported the effort are still in office.

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With new federal abortion laws not forthcoming post-Roe v. Wade, and decisions about access still firmly in states’ hands, here’s a primer on where abortion policy stands in Pennsylvania.

What is Pennsylvania’s abortion law?

Pregnancies can be ended in the commonwealth up to 24 weeks gestation, a deadline tied to the concept of viability that was introduced in 1973’s Roe v. Wade. Abortions can be performed after that cutoff if a pregnant person’s life or health is in danger.

Pennsylvania doesn’t have language on its books protecting the right to an abortion, unlike many other states. For instance, voters in California, Michigan, and Vermont in 2022 enshrined guarantees of abortion rights in their state constitutions, which constrain future abortion-restricting bills unless those amendments are repealed.

Pennsylvania also imposes several other rules on people who wish to end pregnancies.

One of them is a requirement for pre-abortion counseling, followed by a 24-hour wait before the person can undergo the surgical procedure or obtain medication. Before a minor can get an abortion, their parent or guardian must also consent unless a judge signs off on a judicial bypass.

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Other restrictions involve insurance coverage. Plans for public employees who are paid using state funds don’t cover abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or a life-endangering health condition. Medicaid coverage in the commonwealth includes the same caveats — as does coverage under plans in the Affordable Care Act exchange, unless the purchaser buys a rider for additional coverage.

These restrictions have long been opposed by organizations like Planned Parenthood. Signe Espinoza, who heads the group’s advocacy arm in Pennsylvania, said the commonwealth is “quite literally punishing poor people for not allowing them to use their own health care for life-saving care.”

There are, however, several organizations in the commonwealth that raise money to pay for abortion costs when insurance won’t. The state keeps a public list of these groups.

Some of Pennsylvania’s abortion restrictions stem from Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision related to a law Pennsylvania passed in 1982.

The law imposed the parental consent requirement for minors to get abortions, the 24-hour waiting period, and a requirement that people seeking abortions get spousal consent. After the law was challenged on the basis that it ran afoul of Roe, the spousal consent provision was overturned.

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Has the end of Roe affected Pennsylvania?

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, 21 states have further tightened abortion restrictions. Fourteen have near-total bans and two have bans after six weeks, which is before many people know they’re pregnant. Five states now have 12- to 18-week bans.

Pennsylvania has not passed any additional restrictions. When Roe was overturned, the commonwealth was led by a Democratic governor who supported abortion access. It now has another Democratic governor, Josh Shapiro, who has been a similarly staunch opponent of restrictions, as well as a narrow Democratic state House majority whose leaders have taken the same stance.

Pennsylvania is one of 22 states that use roughly the same, viability-influenced cutoff for abortions under most circumstances. Seven states and Washington, D.C. place no gestational limit on the procedure, but the landscape could shift as state courts rule on the issue and legislatures pass new laws and turn over members.

In 2022, the most recent year for which there is complete data, 34,838 abortions were performed in Pennsylvania, of which 22,104 were performed at eight weeks or less of gestation.

The commonwealth’s Planned Parenthood chapter projects significant demand increases for Pennsylvania as other states continue to ban or restrict the procedure, though for now West Virginia is the only neighboring state with a total ban.

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Will Pennsylvania ban abortion or further change access?

One big question mark remaining about abortion access in Pennsylvania has to do with the law that mostly keeps the procedure from being covered under Medicaid.

In 2019, abortion providers sued the state, arguing that the ban — which only excludes cases of rape, incest, and serious health risk — violates the state constitution’s equal protection provisions and Equal Rights Amendment.

The case has been working its way through the courts and is now before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments in 2022 and could rule at any time.

The other abortion-related action currently happening in the commonwealth is likewise mostly geared toward expanding access.

Until recently, the commonwealth’s legislature was fully controlled by Republicans. Under that status quo, abortion-restricting legislation came up frequently. Perhaps most significantly, the body began moving an amendment in 2022 that would enshrine language in the state constitution that explicitly says abortion is not a protected right.

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The move would tie the state Supreme Court’s hands and prevent judges from ruling any abortion-restricting legislation unconstitutional.



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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania state trooper hit by vehicle in Somerset County

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Pennsylvania state trooper hit by vehicle in Somerset County


A state trooper was hit by a vehicle in Somerset County.

Somerset County District Attorney Molly Metzgar said the trooper was trying to help a disabled vehicle on Route 31 westbound when they were hit on Saturday.

According to our partners at WJAC, the trooper suffered injuries to their head, leg and pelvis.

The trooper has been released from the hospital.

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“This is a stark reminder of the dangers that our first responders face on a daily basis. I encourage everyone to life the trooper and his family up in their thoughts and prayers,” Metzgar said.

Officials said the trooper still has “a long way to go” before returning to duty.

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Pennsylvania’s Game-Changing Rail Freight Revamp Is Here—East Penn Railroad Leads the Charge – MyChesCo

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Pennsylvania’s Game-Changing Rail Freight Revamp Is Here—East Penn Railroad Leads the Charge – MyChesCo


HARRISBURG, PA — Rail freight in Pennsylvania is on the brink of transformation, with $55 million approved to fund 30 vital improvement projects. These initiatives promise to boost economic development, enhance freight mobility, and create or sustain 344 jobs across the state. Among the standout ventures, East Penn Railroad, LLC’s $455,000 project to rehabilitate eight bridges is poised to deliver significant benefits to Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties.

Strengthening Pennsylvania’s Freight Backbone

With 65 operating railroads spanning approximately 5,600 miles, Pennsylvania’s freight system is unmatched in its scale and importance. It is the backbone of the state’s economy, connecting local industries to national and global markets. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), in collaboration with private rail operators and local businesses, has prioritized modernization through programs like the Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP).

“Expanding and improving Pennsylvania’s rail freight network will support family-sustaining jobs and connect Pennsylvania communities to the global economy while bolstering local economic development,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “These investments will create opportunities for generations of Pennsylvanians to come and will provide key mobility across the Commonwealth.”

Spotlight on East Penn Railroad

The East Penn Railroad project exemplifies the power of targeted infrastructure investment. The company will rehabilitate eight bridges across the Octoraro, Perkiomen, Lancaster Northern, and York branch lines—critical routes for businesses and industries in Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties. These bridges are essential for the safe and efficient transportation of goods, and their rehabilitation will ensure that local businesses have the reliable infrastructure they need to thrive.

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The funding will address aging infrastructure that has long hampered performance and safety. Once complete, these improvements will facilitate smoother operations, reduced delays, and greater capacity for freight transport. For local communities, this means more robust economic growth driven by increased business activity and better connections to other markets.

Building a Better Freight Future

East Penn’s effort is just one of 30 projects approved for funding, each addressing specific challenges within Pennsylvania’s rail network.

Some of the other key projects include:

  • CSX Transportation, Inc. ($13.1M) to rehabilitate the 25th Street Viaduct in Philadelphia, a crucial freight artery.
  • Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway ($5.8M) to improve six bridges across Allegheny, Washington, Fayette, and Westmoreland Counties, ensuring long-term safety and reliability.
  • NorthPoint Development, LLC ($3.8M) for Kinder Morgan terminal rail yard expansion in Bucks County, adding over 13,000 feet of new track to boost industrial capacity.

Each of these initiatives will address bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and position Pennsylvania as a leader in freight innovation.

Why It Matters

Improving freight infrastructure isn’t just a convenience—it’s an economic imperative. For businesses, reliable rail transport lowers costs, increases efficiency, and enhances competitiveness in global markets. For workers, these projects create good-paying jobs during construction and unlock new opportunities for long-term employment in logistics and adjacent industries.

East Penn Railroad’s project, in particular, underscores how smart infrastructure investment can ripple outward. By ensuring that critical bridges are safe and reliable, the company will help make Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties more competitive while bolstering the local economy.

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Beyond the immediate economic benefits, these rail freight improvements also align with environmental goals. Rail transport is significantly more fuel-efficient than road freight, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. By expanding and modernizing Pennsylvania’s rail system, these projects signal a commitment to sustainable growth.

A Commitment to Progress

The Shapiro Administration and the General Assembly have demonstrated a shared commitment to infrastructure as a foundation for progress. Pennsylvania’s rail freight industry isn’t just about moving goods; it’s about creating a future where communities and businesses can flourish.

Pennsylvania’s bold leap forward on rail freight projects marks a turning point for the state. With East Penn Railroad paving the way, the Commonwealth is creating a more connected, competitive, and sustainable future for all.

For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.



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A Pa. utility shutoff law is expiring. Here’s what you need to know

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A Pa. utility shutoff law is expiring. Here’s what you need to know


Have a question about Philly’s neighborhoods or the systems that shape them? PlanPhilly reporters want to hear from you! Ask us a question or send us a story idea you think we should cover.

A Pennsylvania law that lays out how and when utility companies can shut off customers’ electricity, gas or water expires Dec. 31.

But the state’s ban on shutoffs for low-income customers during the winter months and other protections will continue uninterrupted.

“The message that we’ve been hoping that people really hear is not to panic,” said Elizabeth Marx, executive director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project.

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Utility shutoffs are an experience many Pennsylvania households deal with. In the first 10 months of 2024, utilities in the state disconnected more than 300,000 households and reconnected fewer than three-quarters of them.

In Philadelphia, one in four low-income households spends at least 16% of its income on energy bills — an energy burden that’s considered severe. Black and Hispanic households in Philadelphia spend more of their income on energy than households overall, and national surveys have shown non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic households are disconnected from utility service at higher rates than non-Hispanic white households.

Here’s what you need to know about the sunsetting statute. 

Pa.’s ban on shutoffs for low-income customers during the winter continues

Pennsylvania’s winter shutoff moratorium will continue even after the law expires, because this and other protections are duplicated in another part of state code.

Between the frigid months of December through March, public utilities in Pennsylvania are restricted from terminating low-income customers’ service for nonpayment without permission from the Public Utility Commission.

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Water utilities cannot terminate heat-related service during this time period.

Gas and electric utilities cannot terminate service for households earning below $3,137 monthly for an individual or $6,500 for a family of four, based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines.

“We understand the importance of these protections to Pennsylvanians and remain committed to balancing the needs of consumers and utilities,” said Stephen DeFrank, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission chairman, in a statement.

There is a partial exception for city gas utilities, which can terminate service for households earning $1,882 to $3,137 monthly for an individual or $3,900 to $6,500 for a family of four, during part of the winter under certain circumstances.

If you can’t pay your utility bills in full, Marx recommends making at least some payment, because utilities consider a positive payment history when setting up payment plans.

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“Paying what you can, when you can, is very important, especially even through the winter, when the winter moratorium is in place,” she said.



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