Rapp Celebrates Victory for Pennsylvanians as Department of Health Withdraws Massive Overreach of Communicable Disease Regulations

September 25, 2026

HARRISBURG – Rep. Kathy L. Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest), Republican chair of the House Health Committee, issued the following statement today celebrating a major victory for parental rights, medical privacy and constitutional liberties.

The announcement follows the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s formal withdrawal of its 502-page proposed Chapter 27 regulation rewrite (Rulemaking #10-242/IRRC #3490) following widespread public opposition.

“The voice of the people was simply too loud, too clear and too powerful for unelected bureaucrats to ignore,” said Rapp, noting that almost 6,000 public comments have been submitted so far and an overwhelming majority objected to the overreach after Pennsylvanians experienced pandemic-era mandates.

Prior to the withdrawal, Rapp led 85 House members in filing a 33-page comment letter demanding the package's withdrawal. The coalition criticized provisions involving medical privacy, school intrusions without parental consent, lack of warrant requirements for private residences and expanded isolation powers.

“By forcing the Department of Health to back down, the people of Pennsylvania have successfully protected their constitutional liberties and medical privacy,” Rapp concluded, thanking citizens and vowing continued vigilance.


Representative Kathy Rapp
65th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives