Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2115: An Act amending Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for health care antitrust; and imposing civil penalties.

HB 2115 requires advance notice to Pennsylvania's Attorney General for certain major healthcare transactions that could reduce competition. It specifically applies to mergers, acquisitions, or "contracting affiliations" between healthcare facilities, systems, or provider organizations when they generate at least $10 million in Pennsylvania revenue annually. The bill mandates that these entities submit premerger notifications, supplementing federal antitrust rules, to allow the Attorney General to review potential anti-competitive harm before deals close. This aims to protect consumers by ensuring robust competition in healthcare markets across Pennsylvania. The law creates new enforcement mechanisms but does not alter existing federal antitrust standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires antitrust review for healthcare mergers to prevent reduced competition, strengthening market fairness and patient access to care options.85% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2134: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to emergency management services, further providing for definitions; in Commonwealth services, further providing for State Fire Commissioner; in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for scope of chapter, for definitions, for publication and notice, for award of grants, for consolidation incentive, for establishment, for publication and notice, for award of grants and for consolidation incentive, repealing provisions relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, further providing for Fire Company Grant Program and for Emergency Medical Services Company Grant Program, repealing provisions relating to additional funding and to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, providing for hazardous materials and specialty funding, further providing for allocation of appropriated funds, repealing provisions relating to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program, providing for Hazardous Materials Team and Specialty Team Grant Program, further providing for expiration of authority, repealing provisions relating to expiration of authority relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program and to expiration of authority relating to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program and further providing for special provisions and for annual reports; and making transfers.

HB 2134 amends Pennsylvania's emergency services laws to update grant programs for fire companies and emergency medical services (EMS) providers. It creates a new "Fire Department Identification Number" (FDID) system requiring the State Fire Commissioner to assign unique five-character codes to fire departments, hazardous materials teams, and specialty teams. The bill repeals outdated COVID-19 emergency grant programs and establishes new funding streams for hazardous materials teams, specialty teams, and standard fire/EMS company grants, while clarifying how funds are allocated and requiring annual reports. These changes directly affect fire companies, EMS providers, and the State Fire Commissioner's office by modernizing administrative processes and funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes new grant programs for emergency medical services (EMS), a health service, and updates administrative systems to fund and strengthen EMS infrastructure, directly supporting healthcare delivery components.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2164: 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 medical assistance for complex care assistant services.

HB 2164 would create a program allowing family members of Pennsylvania medical assistance recipients to become certified complex care assistants. These family members would provide specific medical services at home - such as feeding, catheter care, and medication administration - under a registered nurse's supervision after completing 75 hours of training and passing a competency evaluation. The program targets recipients under 21, those eligible for private duty nursing, or those needing both services for medical reasons, with home health agencies reimbursed at a minimum of $45 per hour. It explicitly requires the services to supplement, not replace, existing private duty nursing under the medical assistance program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates program expanding home-based medical care access for vulnerable populations through family caregivers under nurse supervision, improving patient access to complex care services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 1149: An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for authority to control.

This bill requires Pennsylvania to align its scheduling of synthetic psilocybin with federal changes. Specifically, it mandates that after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves a federal scheduling change for synthetic psilocybin, the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health must schedule it within five business days and the change takes effect 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The law directly affects state health authorities and regulatory processes, ensuring Pennsylvania’s rules mirror federal actions without creating new medical uses or penalties. It does not alter current state restrictions but establishes a procedural mechanism for future alignment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAligns state scheduling with federal changes, reducing criminal penalties for psilocybin use, supporting drug policy reform and reducing unnecessary incarceration.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill aligns state scheduling with federal changes for synthetic psilocybin, enabling potential mental health treatment access under healthcare regulatory framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Dec 29, 2025

SB 1126: An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, in casualty insurance, providing for coverage for epinephrine delivery systems.

SB 1126 requires most health insurance plans in Pennsylvania to cover at least two epinephrine delivery systems (such as EpiPens for severe allergic reactions) per year at a maximum annual cost of $35, regardless of the insured's deductible or other cost-sharing. This applies to individual and group health insurance policies, as well as certain nonprofit health plans. The Attorney General must investigate epinephrine drug pricing and submit a public report to the legislature within one year. The bill also allows plans to reduce cost-sharing below $35 and applies to high deductible and catastrophic health plans where permitted by federal law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for epinephrine delivery systems at low cost, expanding access to critical allergy treatment and reducing patient financial barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 5, 2026

HB 2110: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, repealing provisions relating to expenditure of public funds for abortions limited; and abrogating a regulation.

HB 2110 repeals existing restrictions on using public funds for abortions under Pennsylvania's Human Services Code. It removes Section 453, which previously limited state/local government funding for abortions except in cases of life endangerment, rape, or incest (with reporting requirements). The bill also abrogates a related regulation (55 Pa. Code § 1163.62(a)). This change directly affects public assistance programs and healthcare providers receiving state funds, eliminating the prior legal barriers to funding abortion services. The policy shift removes specific restrictions but does not establish new funding rules for public assistance programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals restrictions on public funding for abortions, enabling state funds to cover more abortion services under public assistance programs, expanding government healthcare spending.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals restrictions on public funding for abortions, expanding access to abortion services under public assistance programs per Human Services Code.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2182: An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for drug overdose medication.

HB 2182 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to allow emergency medical services (EMS) providers to administer opioid overdose medications, specifically naloxone and nalmefene, as part of their standard practice. The bill requires the Department of Health to update EMS provider regulations to include these medications within their scope of practice. This change directly affects EMS personnel by enabling them to respond to opioid overdoses more effectively without needing additional authorization during emergencies. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows EMS to administer naloxone/nalmefene for opioid overdoses, improving emergency response and access to life-saving treatment under public health framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 6, 2026

HB 1628: 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 pregnancy-related and postpartum medical assistance.

HB 1628 extends Pennsylvania's medical assistance program to cover pregnancy-related care and postpartum support for up to 12 additional months after childbirth or pregnancy loss (such as miscarriage). It directly affects pregnant and postpartum women who are currently receiving medical assistance, have income below 215% of the federal poverty level, and are not otherwise eligible for ongoing assistance. The bill requires the state to seek federal approval for this extension via a waiver under the Social Security Act, and if federal approval is denied, it mandates a report to the legislature within 180 days detailing how to revise the application for future approval. This change aims to improve access to healthcare during a critical period following pregnancy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends medical assistance coverage for pregnancy/postpartum care by 12 months, expanding access to healthcare services for eligible women.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Dec 22, 2025

SB 1122: An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, in casualty insurance, providing for menopause treatment coverage.

This bill (SB 1122) requires most health insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania to cover menopause treatment. Specifically, it mandates coverage for FDA-approved drugs, behavioral therapy, and post-hysterectomy menopause treatments under Section 635.11 of the Insurance Company Law. The requirement applies to standard health insurance policies (excluding dental, vision, workers' compensation, and similar limited-benefit plans) and takes effect 60 days after enactment, with most policies needing to comply within 180 days of the effective date. It does not alter existing cost-sharing rules like deductibles or copays.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for menopause treatment, expanding health coverage and improving patient access to necessary care under Section 635.11.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 2175: An Act amending Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for consumer protection and for artificial intelligence and chatbots; imposing duties on the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Office of Attorney General; and imposing penalties.

HB 2175 requires businesses using AI chatbots to clearly disclose when consumers are interacting with artificial intelligence, especially for mental health support (e.g., chatbots claiming to treat anxiety or depression). It prohibits deceptive advertising, mandates protection of personal data shared with these tools, and gives Pennsylvania’s Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection authority to enforce these rules and impose penalties. The law directly affects companies offering AI chatbots that provide health-related advice to Pennsylvania residents. It does not cover scripted tools (like guided meditation) or AI that simply connects users with human professionals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires disclosure for AI mental health chatbots, prohibits deceptive claims, and protects consumer data - directly safeguards patient rights in mental health services.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI transparency, prohibits deceptive ads, and requires data protection for consumer-facing AI tools, aligning with privacy safeguards in technology regulation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy

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