Healthcare

signed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 12, 2025

HB 416: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, providing for Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program; in 911 Emergency Communication Services, further providing for surcharge; in Department of Revenue, further providing for exclusion from classes of income and providing for research and experimental expenditures and qualified production property, for report to General Assembly and for interest expense; in joint underwriting association, further providing for findings and for definitions, repealing provisions relating to sunset and providing for risk-based capital certification, for fund transfers, for association oversight and additional duties, for Joint Underwriting Association Board, for board meetings, for construction, for dissolution, for appropriations and for reports and hearings; in State Health Insurance Exchange Affordability Program, further providing for Exchange Affordability Assistance Account; providing for Rural Health Transformation Program; in Treasury Department, providing for waiver of interest, costs and fees; in procedure for disbursement of money from the State Treasury, further providing for use and appropriation of unused Commonwealth funds; in oil and gas wells, further providing for Oil and Gas Lease Fund; providing for advanced air mobility sites and for public transportation vehicles; in human services, further providing for resident care and related costs; in Attorney General, providing for home improvement contractor registration fee; providing for Rare Disease Advisory Council, for affordable housing tax credit and for working Pennsylvanians tax credit; in additional keystone opportunity expansion zones, providing for additional keystone opportunity expansion zones for certain counties of the fourth class; providing for additional extensions of keystone opportunity zones; in special funds, further providing for funding, for expiration and for other grants; in additional special funds and restricted accounts, further providing for establishment of special fund and account, for use of fund and for distributions from Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Fund and providing for refund of 2003 assessment by Insurance Department; in additional special funds and restricted accounts relating to Service and Infrastructure Improvement Fund, further providing for deposits and providing for Property Tax Relief Fund; in general budget implementation, further providing Executive Offices, for Department of Community and Economic Development, for Department of Environmental Protection, for Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, for Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency and for Commonwealth Financing Authority, providing for stenography services, further providing for surcharges, for Federal and Commonwealth use of forest land and for Multimodal Transportation Fund and providing for State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board, for interest transfers, for fund transfers and for miscellaneous provisions; in 2024-2025 budget implementation, further providing for Department of Education, for Department of Environmental Protection and for Department of Human Services; in Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development Program, further providing for scope of article, for definitions and for the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development Program, providing for review and determination of specific permits and for State agency permits and further providing for construction; providing for electricity load forecast accountability, for 2025-2026 budget implementation and for 2025-2026 restrictions on appropriations for funds and accounts; making repeals; and making editorial changes.

HB 416 establishes a new Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program to support early childhood educators and creates a Rural Health Transformation Program to improve healthcare access in underserved areas. It also streamlines permit processes for economic development projects through the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development Program. These provisions are integrated into the 2025 state budget implementation, alongside administrative updates to tax collection procedures, state fund management, and reporting requirements for agencies like the Department of Revenue and Treasury. The bill does not alter existing tax rates or create new funding streams but modifies how current state financial systems operate.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill funds essential programs (Child Care, Rural Health) and provides tax credits (affordable housing, working Pennsylvanians), supporting budget allocation and tax relief.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes Rural Health Transformation Program to improve healthcare access in underserved areas, directly advancing healthcare services and access.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly includes 'affordable housing tax credit' as a direct funding mechanism for affordable housing programs.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly mentions 'public transportation vehicles' and 'advanced air mobility sites' in title, directly supporting transportation infrastructure expansion.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

passed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 5, 2025

HB 1828: An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for immunization coverage; and imposing penalties.

HB 1828 requires health insurance plans in Pennsylvania to cover all recommended vaccines without requiring patients to pay out-of-pocket costs like copays or deductibles. It directly affects insurance companies by mandating this coverage and patients who rely on insurance for routine immunizations (e.g., childhood vaccines, flu shots). The bill adds penalties for insurers that fail to comply with the coverage requirement. This policy change ensures broader access to vaccines by removing financial barriers under insurance plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost vaccine coverage in insurance plans, removing financial barriers to access. Directly expands coverage and improves patient access to immunizations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Oct 29, 2025

HB 157: An Act providing for grant awards to entities in rural counties and designated medically underserved areas to pay for the education debt of practitioners employed at the entity.

HB 157 creates state grants to help healthcare entities in rural counties or designated medically underserved areas cover the student loan debt of their employed healthcare practitioners. The grants would be paid directly to the healthcare facilities (like clinics or hospitals), not to individual providers, to offset the cost of practitioners' education debt. This aims to support recruitment and retention of healthcare workers in areas with limited access to medical services. The program would be funded through state appropriations, targeting facilities serving communities with significant healthcare access challenges.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state grant program funding healthcare workforce retention in underserved areas, directly increasing government spending on essential public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds debt relief for rural healthcare practitioners to improve workforce retention in underserved areas, directly enhancing access to medical services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides state grants to healthcare facilities to cover practitioners' education debt, directly supporting recruitment/retention in underserved areas - advancing employment standards for healthcare workers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Oct 3, 2025

HB 1212: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions, providing for drug screening and awareness education and for fatherhood engagement in maternal health; and imposing duties on the Joint State Government Commission.

HB 1212 requires Pennsylvania maternal health programs to provide drug screening and awareness education to patients. It also mandates the inclusion of fatherhood engagement strategies in prenatal care discussions, directly affecting pregnant individuals and their partners receiving maternal health services. The bill imposes specific duties on the Joint State Government Commission to develop and oversee these program requirements. These provisions aim to integrate substance use prevention and family involvement into standard maternal health care protocols.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates drug screening, awareness education, and fatherhood engagement in maternal health programs, expanding preventive care services within state health statutes.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 23, 2025

HB 1697: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, providing for liability for false claims, for adoption of congressional intent of the Federal False Claims Act, for damages, costs and civil penalties, for powers of Attorney General, for qui tam actions and for civil investigative demands; and establishing the Fraud Prevention and Recovery Account.

HB 1697 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to create a state-level False Claims Act, directly affecting healthcare providers, contractors, and organizations receiving state funds (like Medicaid or welfare programs). It makes individuals or entities liable for three times the damages plus penalties if they knowingly submit false claims, make false records, or conceal obligations to the state. The bill establishes "qui tam" lawsuits allowing whistleblowers to sue on behalf of the state and creates a Fraud Prevention and Recovery Account to hold recovered funds. These provisions align Pennsylvania's law with the federal False Claims Act to combat fraud in public spending.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents fraud in state healthcare programs (e.g., Medicaid) by imposing penalties on false claims, protecting public funds used for healthcare services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 8, 2025

HB 1234: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, providing for coverage for blood pressure monitors.

HB 1234 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to require public assistance programs to cover the cost of blood pressure monitors for eligible recipients. This change directly affects individuals enrolled in state public assistance programs who need blood pressure monitoring for health management. The bill adds blood pressure monitors to the list of covered medical equipment under the public assistance program, ensuring these devices are provided without cost to recipients. It does not change eligibility requirements but expands existing coverage to include this specific monitoring tool. The bill passed final passage on July 1, 2025, and was referred to the Health & Human Services committee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds blood pressure monitors to covered medical equipment under public assistance, expanding access to essential health devices without cost to recipients.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 30, 2025

HB 1100: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, providing for waiver to purchase diapers or menstrual hygiene products.

HB 1100 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to allow public assistance recipients to use their benefits to purchase diapers and menstrual hygiene products through a new waiver program. This directly affects low-income individuals and families enrolled in public assistance programs who currently cannot use their benefits for these essential items. The key provision adds diapers and menstrual hygiene products to the list of eligible purchases under an administrative waiver, changing the existing code to expand access to basic necessities. The bill does not change benefit amounts or eligibility criteria but creates a new pathway for purchasing specific hygiene products. It passed the legislature in June 2025 and was referred to the Health & Human Services committee for implementation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands essential hygiene access under public assistance, directly supporting health outcomes for low-income individuals by covering menstrual/diaper products via benefit waiver.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 27, 2025

HB 1334: An Act making appropriations from the Workmen's Compensation Administration Fund to the Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Community and Economic Development to provide for the expenses of administering the Workers' Compensation Act, The Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act and the Office of Small Business Advocate for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.

HB 1334 allocates funding from the Workmen's Compensation Administration Fund to Pennsylvania's Department of Labor and Industry, Department of Community and Economic Development, and the Office of Small Business Advocate. It covers expenses for administering the Workers' Compensation Act, Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act, and the Small Business Advocate program for fiscal year 2025-2026, including payments for unpaid bills from the prior fiscal year. The bill directly affects state agencies responsible for worker compensation, occupational disease claims, and small business support services. This is a routine appropriations measure to ensure ongoing operations of these programs, not a policy change. The bill was signed into law as Act No. 3A of 2025 on June 27, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates funds from Workmen's Compensation Fund to administer labor programs, directly supporting state budget execution and fiscal management for essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds administration of Workers' Compensation Act, which covers medical treatment for work-related injuries, supporting healthcare access for injured workers through existing coverage mechanisms.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds administration of Workers' Compensation Act and Occupational Disease Act, directly supporting worker injury protections and program operations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2025

HB 583: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, further providing for reimbursement for certain medical assistance items and services; and abrogating regulations.

This bill modifies Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to change how medical providers are reimbursed for specific services provided to public assistance recipients. It updates reimbursement rules for certain medical items and services while replacing outdated regulations that conflicted with these changes. The primary effect is on healthcare providers who bill state assistance programs, streamlining the process for claiming payments. The bill does not create new benefits but adjusts existing reimbursement procedures under public assistance programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines reimbursement for public assistance medical providers, improving access to care without expanding benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2025

HB 1445: An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for school-based services; and, in telemedicine, further providing for insurance coverage of telemedicine.

HB 1445 requires health insurers in Pennsylvania to cover medically necessary health services provided in schools - such as mental health care, behavioral health services, and speech therapy - without denying coverage solely because the service occurs in a school setting. It prohibits insurers from excluding coverage based on location (e.g., through "school setting" or "place of service" exclusions), applying to public, charter, cyber charter, and private schools. Exceptions allow denials if services are provided by unlicensed individuals, are not medically necessary per insurer policies, or conflict with existing legal obligations (like IEPs). This law directly affects students receiving school-based care, insurers, and school entities, ensuring coverage parity for services delivered on school premises.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires insurers to cover school-based health services (mental health, therapy) without location-based denials, enhancing student access to care and supporting educational well-being.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for school-based mental health, behavioral health, and speech therapy services, prohibiting location-based exclusions to expand access to care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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