Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 2315: An Act amending the act of December 29, 1972 (P.L.1701, No.364), known as the Health Maintenance Organization Act, further providing for rules and regulations.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Health Maintenance Organization Act to require health plans to cover basic services when referrals come from direct primary care providers who are not part of the plan's network. It defines direct primary care providers as licensed doctors or advanced practitioners who offer direct care through personal agreements with patients. The rule must be established within one year of the bill's effective date and applies to all health maintenance organizations operating in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands health coverage by requiring plans to cover services from out-of-network direct primary care providers, improving patient access and protecting patient rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2276: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general administration relating to correctional institutions, providing for boards of prison inspectors in State correctional institutions.

This bill establishes new Boards of Prison Inspectors at each Pennsylvania State correctional institution to oversee facility conditions and operations. The boards will consist of 18 members including medical professionals, educators, law enforcement officers, county officials, and community representatives, with at least one member being a former inmate or family member of an inmate. Each board will conduct unannounced inspections at least twice annually, review inmate complaints and officer misconduct records, and submit public reports on their findings. Board members serve three-year terms without pay but receive expense reimbursement, and they are prohibited from being current employees of the correctional system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes oversight boards to improve prison conditions and operations, enhancing accountability and protecting inmate rights within the correctional system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill includes medical professionals on prison inspector boards to oversee facility conditions, which supports healthcare oversight in correctional settings.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 25, 2026

HR 450: A Resolution recognizing March 31, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Pennsylvania House Resolution designates March 31, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" to honor the contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the state. The resolution highlights the importance of midwifery in addressing maternal health disparities, particularly in Black communities where pregnancy-related mortality rates are significantly higher than national averages. It acknowledges the role of midwives in providing culturally sensitive care and reducing barriers to access in areas with limited maternity health resources. The measure serves as a symbolic recognition rather than establishing new laws or funding requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill honors Black midwives' contributions to maternal health and addresses disparities, promoting culturally sensitive care and improving access to healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2265: An Act amending the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act, providing for onsite emergency physicians.

This bill requires hospitals in Pennsylvania with emergency departments to have a board-certified or board-eligible emergency physician on site and on duty whenever the emergency department is open. The law defines these physicians as those licensed in Pennsylvania who hold board certification in emergency medicine or have completed accredited residency training and remain eligible for certification. Hospitals in rural areas with an average of 46 or fewer emergency department visits per day over two years may request an exception to allow physicians with different emergency medicine qualifications to staff the department. The Department of Health has the authority to grant these exceptions after reviewing a hospital's documented efforts to recruit and retain qualified emergency physicians and any additional conditions needed to protect patient safety.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates on-site emergency physicians at hospitals, improving patient access to emergency care and strengthening healthcare infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SR 254: A Resolution designating March 11, 2026, as "Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution designates March 11, 2026, as "Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the work of licensed nutrition professionals. The bill recognizes registered dietitian nutritionists as food and nutrition experts who require accredited degrees, internships, and national examinations to practice. It also praises the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its approximately 3,127 members for promoting healthy eating and well-being across the state. This resolution is symbolic and does not create new laws or funding, serving instead to acknowledge the contributions of these healthcare professionals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill honors and recognizes registered dietitian nutritionists, promoting healthy eating and well-being, which supports public health initiatives.75% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SR 256: A Resolution designating October 13, 2026, as "Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution designates October 13, 2026, as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day in Pennsylvania to raise visibility for a specific stage of breast cancer. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to honor patients and families affected by the disease. It highlights the need for increased research and equitable care access while aligning with national awareness efforts that use teal, green, and pink ribbon colors. The resolution is non-binding and focuses on public recognition rather than implementing policy changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill raises awareness for metastatic breast cancer, highlighting need for research and equitable care access, supporting patient advocacy and health equity goals75% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 1186: An Act amending the act of November 21, 2016 (P.L.1318, No.169), known as the Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in pharmacy benefits manager contracts, providing for State pharmacy benefits manager.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to update definitions for specialty drugs and spread pricing, while establishing a new requirement for a single state-run pharmacy benefits manager. The legislation directs the Department of Human Services to select one third-party administrator by July 2026 to manage all pharmacy benefits for Medicaid recipients, replacing the current system where multiple pharmacy benefits managers may handle these services. Managed care organizations receiving Medicaid contracts will be required to use this state pharmacy benefits manager, and the selection process must include competitive bidding and strict conflict-of-interest disclosures to prevent financial entanglements between the manager and other healthcare entities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes single state-run pharmacy benefits manager to improve transparency and reduce spread pricing, enhancing patient access and protecting against excessive costs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SR 158: A Resolution recognizing February 28, 2026, as "Rare Disease Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution formally recognizes February 28, 2026, as "Rare Disease Day" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about rare diseases affecting approximately 1.2 million residents. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the challenges faced by individuals with rare conditions, including limited treatment options and difficulty finding specialized care. By joining a global observance, the resolution aims to encourage public attention and support for patients and their families without altering existing policies or programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareResolution raises awareness about rare diseases and challenges in care access, indirectly supporting healthcare advocacy and patient attention.75% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 1234: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, providing for scoliosis screening and examination; and abrogating a regulation.

This bill requires Pennsylvania public schools to include scoliosis screening and examinations in their health programs for students in grades five, six, seven, and nine, as well as age-appropriate students in ungraded classes. The screening must be conducted by qualified personnel following guidelines from the Secretaries of Health and Education, with results added to each student's health record. Parents may opt their children out of the screening in writing, and students already under medical care for scoliosis are exempt from testing. Additionally, the bill repeals an existing state regulation regarding scoliosis screening to align with these new requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates scoliosis screenings in public schools, enhancing student health programs and educational access by ensuring early detection of medical conditions affecting students.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates scoliosis screening in public schools, expanding access to preventive health services for students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 10, 2026

HR 435: A Resolution recognizing the month of May 2026 as "Osteoporosis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

This House Resolution designates May 2026 as Osteoporosis Awareness Month in Pennsylvania to highlight the importance of bone health and fracture prevention. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves to raise public awareness about osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and increases fracture risk, particularly among older adults. By recognizing this month, the resolution encourages health professionals, policymakers, and the public to focus on preventive measures such as proper nutrition, exercise, and screening. The text includes background information on the prevalence and costs of osteoporosis in Pennsylvania and the nation to underscore the significance of the awareness campaign.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill raises public awareness about osteoporosis, a health condition, encouraging preventive measures and health professional engagement without restricting or defunding services.75% confidence

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