Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 7, 2026

SR 314: A Resolution designating the week of May 4 through 10, 2026, as "Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

Senate Resolution 314 designates the week of May 4 through 10, 2026, as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week in Pennsylvania. This symbolic resolution aims to highlight the condition, which involves involuntary movements and can affect people taking long-term antipsychotic medications for mental health issues. The bill encourages the public and medical community to learn more about the symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia and the importance of routine screening. It also urges individuals experiencing abnormal movements to consult their healthcare providers for evaluation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill raises awareness for a medical condition affecting mental health patients, promoting public understanding and routine screening.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 20, 2026

SR 324: A Resolution designating the month of June 2026 as "Scoliosis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution designates June 2026 as "Scoliosis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to highlight the importance of recognizing and addressing spinal curvature. The measure directly affects residents of the state, healthcare providers, and organizations working to improve outcomes for individuals with this condition. By officially setting aside the month for awareness, the resolution encourages public education on early detection and treatment of scoliosis to prevent severe health complications. The bill does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to promote understanding and support for those affected by the disorder.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes public awareness and early detection of scoliosis, enhancing patient outcomes and healthcare engagement.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 6, 2026

SR 261: A Resolution recognizing April 19, 2026, as "Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate resolution designates April 19, 2026, as "Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania to highlight a rare birth defect where abdominal organs move into the chest cavity. The measure aims to increase public understanding of the condition, which affects approximately 1,600 babies annually in the United States and often requires extensive medical care. By establishing this specific date, the resolution seeks to foster support for affected families and encourage medical research without altering any laws or government operations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill designates an awareness day for a rare birth defect to foster support for affected families and encourage medical understanding.85% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2368: An Act providing for standardized human trafficking screening and intervention protocols in health care facilities; imposing duties on the Department of Health; and providing for training and enforcement.

This bill requires Pennsylvania health care facilities, including emergency departments and urgent care centers, to adopt standardized protocols for identifying and assisting patients who may be victims of human trafficking. The Department of Health is tasked with creating these guidelines within 180 days, which will include trauma-informed screening questions, private interview procedures, and specific steps for referring individuals to support services even if they do not wish to involve law enforcement. To ensure staff are prepared, the law mandates that all clinical and patient-facing employees complete initial training upon hiring and undergo continuing education every two years. Additionally, facilities must annually report de-identified data on screenings and referrals to the Department of Health, which will then submit a summary report to the General Assembly.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens victim protection and law enforcement response to human trafficking through standardized screening and support protocols.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates standardized screening and intervention protocols to protect vulnerable patients and improve access to support services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 7, 2026

SR 312: A Resolution recognizing the week of May 10 through 16, 2026, as "National Hospital Week" in Pennsylvania.

Senate Resolution 312 designates the week of May 10 through 16, 2026, as National Hospital Week throughout Pennsylvania. This resolution directly affects hospitals, healthcare workers, and the general public by formally recognizing the contributions of medical facilities to the state's economy and community health. The bill includes provisions to thank frontline health workers and encourages residents to visit local hospitals to appreciate their services. It serves as a commemorative measure to highlight the role of hospitals in providing care, training professionals, and supporting local jobs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill honors hospitals and healthcare workers, showing appreciation for their contributions to community health.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 29, 2026

HR 538: A Resolution designating the month of November 2026 as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

This bill designates November 2026 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month within the state of Pennsylvania. It aims to increase public understanding of the disease by encouraging educational programs and support initiatives for those affected. The resolution does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a formal statement to highlight the importance of early detection and research.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes pancreatic cancer awareness, education, and support initiatives, aligning with public health goals.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 1355: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in State Veterans' Commission and Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs, establishing a pilot program to award grants for veterans traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder treatment.

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program to provide grants for treating veterans with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. The State Veterans' Commission will award $150,000 annually to nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and healthcare providers selected from the eastern, central, and western regions of Pennsylvania. Recipients must use the funds to develop and evaluate treatment programs aimed at improving mental health outcomes and reducing suicide risk among veterans. The program is set to expire three years after it begins, and the state will submit annual reports to the legislature detailing how the grants were used and their effectiveness.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a pilot program awarding $150,000 annually to fund treatment for veterans with TBI and PTSD, directly advancing mental health services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a pilot program to fund grants for treating veterans' traumatic brain injuries and PTSD, directly advancing veteran healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 2364: An Act amending the act of October 10, 1975 (P.L.383, No.110), known as the Physical Therapy Practice Act, further providing for definitions, for training and license required and exceptions and for physical therapist assistant, education and examination, scope of duties and certification.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's Physical Therapy Practice Act to formally define "dry needling" and expand the scope of services available to licensed physical therapists. It mandates that only physical therapists who complete a board-approved certification program may perform dry needling, while explicitly excluding this practice from the duties of physical therapist assistants. The legislation also clarifies the definitions of physical therapy to include a broader range of interventions such as mechanical stimulation and wellness promotion. These changes aim to standardize training requirements and delineate the specific responsibilities of different therapy professionals within the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands physical therapist scope and defines dry needling, improving patient access to care and professional standards.85% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 1285: An Act establishing the Biobonds Innovation Fund, the Biobonds Innovation Fund Loan Program and the Biobonds Innovation Fund Loan Guarantee Program; and providing for duties of Department of Community and Economic Development.

This bill creates the Biobonds Innovation Fund to provide low-interest loans and loan guarantees for companies and research institutions conducting clinical trials for drugs or medical devices in Pennsylvania. The program requires recipients to maintain a physical presence in the state and conduct the majority of their research there while receiving financial support. Money for the fund will come from state appropriations, bond proceeds, loan repayments, and interest earnings, with the Department of Community and Economic Development managing the application and oversight process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a new fund using state appropriations and bond proceeds to support medical research, directly advancing fiscal management and funding for essential programs.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a fund to provide low-interest loans and guarantees for clinical trials, directly advancing healthcare research and innovation.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2431: An Act amending the act of November 21, 2016 (P.L.1318, No.169), known as the Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act, in enforcements, further providing for scope of enforcement authority.

This bill expands the enforcement powers of Pennsylvania's Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to address how Pharmacy Benefit Managers handle Medicaid prescriptions. It directly affects PBMs, pharmacies, and pharmacists by requiring PBMs to accept and process prescriptions from any pharmacy or pharmacist that is in good standing with state regulators. The law prohibits PBMs from limiting patient access to specific pharmacies based on the PBM's own private contracting choices. These changes are designed to ensure that Medicaid patients can use any qualified pharmacy without facing artificial restrictions imposed by their benefit manager.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands enforcement to ensure PBMs accept prescriptions from any pharmacy, directly improving patient access to healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Prescription Drugs

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