Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 21, 2025

HB 1490: An Act amending the act of May 22, 1951 (P.L.317, No.69), known as The Professional Nursing Law, providing for Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner Pilot Program.

HB 1490 creates a pilot program allowing eligible Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs) to practice independently in Pennsylvania's health professional shortage areas. To qualify, CRNPs must hold a current license, have no disciplinary actions in the past five years, and complete 3,600 hours of collaborative practice with a physician in primary care (family, internal medicine, gynecology, or pediatrics) within the last five years. Under the program, participating CRNPs can prescribe medications and practice without a collaborative agreement in shortage areas, but must disclose their non-physician status to patients and notify the board if they change practice settings. The program requires biennial renewal with 10 hours of additional patient safety continuing education and limits practice to primary care within designated shortage areas.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates CRNP independent practice pilot in healthcare shortage areas, expanding access to primary care services and addressing provider shortages in underserved regions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Primary Care

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 631: A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, providing for an economic bill of rights.

HB 631 proposes adding a new "economic bill of rights" to Pennsylvania's state constitution, guaranteeing four specific rights: a living wage for supporting a family (Section 30a), affordable healthcare and health opportunities (30b), safe transportation infrastructure (30c), and safe working conditions (30d). This constitutional amendment would directly affect all Pennsylvania residents by establishing these economic rights as fundamental. The resolution outlines the process requiring two legislative passages by the General Assembly, followed by voter approval at the next eligible election. If approved by voters, it would become part of Pennsylvania's constitution.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly guarantees 'affordable healthcare and health opportunities' as a constitutional right (Section 30b), directly advancing healthcare access and rights per indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly guarantees safe working conditions (30d) and living wage (30a), directly advancing labor and employment rights through constitutional amendment.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly guarantees 'safe transportation infrastructure' (Section 30c) as a constitutional right, directly advancing transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 17, 2025

HB 33: An Act amending the act of April 17, 2016 (P.L.84, No.16), known as the Medical Marijuana Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in practitioners, further providing for practitioner registration; in medical marijuana controls, further providing for electronic tracking and for laboratory; and, in Medical Marijuana Advisory Board, further providing for advisory board.

HB 33 amends Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act to clarify definitions and strengthen oversight of testing labs and practitioners. It defines key terms like "independent laboratory" (requiring no ties to marijuana businesses) and "approved laboratory" (testing medical marijuana samples under department approval). The bill gives the Department of Health new authority to impose conditions on medical practitioners, such as limiting certifications or requiring supervision, to protect patient safety. These changes directly affect medical marijuana patients, healthcare providers who certify them, and labs testing products for quality and safety. The updates aim to improve accountability in the program through clearer rules for lab accreditation and practitioner oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens patient safety oversight in medical marijuana program via lab independence rules and practitioner regulations, directly protecting patient rights under healthcare topic.95% confidence

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 4, 2025

SB 308: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in military educational programs relating to medical officer or health officer incentive program, further providing for definitions, for establishment of program, for program stipend, for additional incentives, for recoupment of incentive payments, for adjustment of stipend amounts and for eligibility; and making editorial changes.

SB 308 establishes a financial incentive program for Pennsylvania National Guard members serving in medical or health specialty roles. It provides monthly stipends ranging from $500 to $1,000 based on the officer's required education level (e.g., $1,000 for physicians/residents, $500 for public health officers), paid for up to 48 months or the first 36 months of service. The program covers specific roles including physicians, physician assistants, behavioral health officers, public health officers, nurses, and chaplains who meet credentialing requirements. Eligibility requires being a "member in good standing" and meeting federal and state licensing standards for their specialty. The bill also includes provisions for adjusting stipend amounts, recouping payments if requirements aren't met, and administrative funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides monthly stipends ($500-$1000) for medical/health officers in National Guard, directly funding healthcare personnel retention and recruitment in military medical roles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Public Health

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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

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Property Tax State Budget Insurance Substance Abuse Affordable Housing Property Development Property Taxes Vehicle Registration

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 1078: 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, further providing for health services and for vision screening and examinations, providing for eye health examinations and further providing for examinations by examiners of own choice.

HB 1078 updates Pennsylvania's school health requirements to strengthen vision screening and eye health examinations for students. It mandates annual vision screenings by trained school personnel for all school-aged children, with comprehensive eye exams by licensed professionals required if screenings fail. The bill specifies that students must receive eye health exams upon school admission, in fourth grade, and eighth grade, and adds requirements for exams related to special education evaluations. Schools must notify parents of failed screenings and provide resources, but are not responsible for covering exam costs or treatment. This directly affects all public and nonpublic school students in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates annual vision screenings and follow-up exams for students, strengthening health services to support educational access and learning readiness in schools.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual vision screenings and required eye exams in schools, strengthening student access to eye health services under public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Student Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 12, 2025

HB 2027: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, in general budget implementation, further providing for executive offices.

HB 2027 creates a new "Public Sector Workplace Safety Equipment Account" within Pennsylvania's General Fund to purchase safety equipment for state employees in high-risk jobs. It directs the Secretary of the Budget to transfer up to $3.8 million in unspent funds from previous years (for agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction) to this account by October 1, 2025. The funds will specifically cover lift kits for healthcare workers handling patients and postural support devices for construction workers, targeting state agencies operating nursing facilities, disability care facilities, and highway construction projects. The bill requires transparency through public notices and committee notifications before any transfer occurs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects $3.8M unspent funds to fund safety equipment for state employees, promoting fiscal responsibility through reallocation of existing budget resources.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $3.8M for safety equipment (lift kits, postural devices) specifically for healthcare workers handling patients, directly funding workforce safety in healthcare settings.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates dedicated fund for safety equipment in high-risk jobs, directly improving workplace safety standards for state workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Workplace Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HR 157: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to pass H.R. 1947, the Treatment and Relief through Emerging and Accessible Therapy for PTSD Act or similar legislation dealing with stellate ganglion block therapy to veterans and members of the armed forces of the United States with post-traumatic stress disorder, during the 119th United States Congress.

This Pennsylvania House resolution (HR 157) urges the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 3023 (or similar legislation) during the 119th Congress, which would require the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense to provide stellate ganglion block (SGB) therapy to veterans and military members with PTSD. SGB is a low-risk neck injection procedure that targets nerves controlling stress responses, potentially alleviating symptoms like anxiety and hyperarousal. The resolution cites that 23% of recent veterans and 12-15% of older veterans have PTSD diagnoses, with current treatments helping only 40% of patients. It emphasizes SGB's decades-long use and support from veterans' organizations as a potential treatment option.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUrges VA/DoD to provide SGB therapy for veterans' PTSD, expanding access to mental health treatment and directly advancing healthcare services for a specific condition.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransUrges VA/DoD to provide SGB therapy for veterans' PTSD, expanding healthcare access to new treatment option for mental health care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Mental Health

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 24, 2025

HB 923: An Act amending the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law, in pharmaceutical assistance for the elderly, further providing for determination of eligibility.

HB 923 amends the State Lottery Law to redirect lottery revenue toward providing pharmaceutical assistance for elderly residents. It directly affects seniors who qualify for prescription drug aid under state programs by modifying eligibility determination procedures. The key provision updates how income and asset thresholds are calculated to determine who qualifies for this assistance. The bill became law on November 24, 2025, after approval by both legislative chambers and the governor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing lottery revenue to fund pharmaceutical assistance for seniors, increasing public service funding without new taxes. Directly allocates budget resources to essential healthcare program.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects lottery revenue to fund pharmaceutical assistance for elderly, expanding prescription drug access via updated eligibility criteria for state aid programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 14, 2025

HB 82: 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, establishing the School Bus Driver Epinephrine Auto-injector Training Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.

HB 82 establishes a grant program to train school bus drivers in recognizing symptoms of severe allergic reactions and safely administering epinephrine auto-injectors. School entities, including public school districts and charter schools, may require drivers to complete this training before transporting students. The Department of Education will administer the program, providing grants to fund training programs that teach drivers to identify anaphylaxis symptoms and use epinephrine devices. This policy directly affects school bus drivers, students with allergies, and school entities responsible for transportation safety.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grant program for school bus driver anaphylaxis training, enhancing student safety through Department of Education-administered funding and requirements for school entities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a grant program to train school bus drivers in epinephrine administration for anaphylaxis, improving emergency health response in schools and advancing public health access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Student Health

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