Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 516: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for substance use overdose awareness, treatment and recovery support; establishing the Lifetime Recovery from Substance Use Grant Program; and providing for powers and duties of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.

SB 516 establishes Pennsylvania's "Lifetime Recovery from Substance Use Grant Program" to fund recovery support services. It requires the Department of Health to create and distribute posters/pamphlets with overdose signs, emergency steps, and naloxone locations to be displayed in public areas of government agencies, transit authorities, and municipalities. The bill directly affects nonprofits, hospitals, counties, and recovery houses that provide services like peer support, housing assistance, and job training for people recovering from substance use. It mandates these providers to apply for grants to expand access to evidence-based recovery support services across the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes grant program funding recovery services and mandates public health education on overdose response, directly advancing substance use treatment within healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 740: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in medical services, repealing provisions relating to the Medical Services Program and providing for copays and fees prohibited; and abrogating regulations.

SB 740 amends Pennsylvania law concerning medical services for inmates in state correctional institutions. The bill repeals the existing "Medical Services Program," which currently requires inmates to pay copays and fees for their medical care. Instead, it explicitly prohibits the Department of Corrections from requiring inmates to pay any copay or fee for medical services provided to them. This change directly affects inmates by eliminating their financial responsibility for medical treatment and also abrogates related existing regulations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill eliminates inmate copays for medical care in prisons, directly improving access to healthcare and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like rehabilitation and inmate well-being.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves copays/fees for inmate medical care, improving access to healthcare services without financial barriers for a vulnerable population.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 1128: An Act establishing the Medicaid Care Transition Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Human Services.

HB 1128 establishes Pennsylvania's Medicaid Care Transition Program to address delays in moving Medicaid patients from emergency departments to appropriate follow-up care. It directly affects Medicaid patients stuck in emergency settings, hospitals, and "responsible entities" (like county Medicaid managed care plans) that must create dedicated care transition units. Key provisions require responsible entities to: contact hospitals within 24 hours for placement, seek out-of-network options if in-network care isn't available quickly, and notify the Department of Human Services after 48 hours if placement fails. The Department then intervenes to resolve barriers like clinical issues, payment problems, or coordination with other agencies. The law aims to reduce emergency department overcrowding and ensure timely access to necessary postacute care for Medicaid enrollees.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Medicaid Care Transition Program to reduce ER delays and improve patient access to follow-up care - directly strengthens healthcare coordination and access for Medicaid patients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1640: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in rules of evidence, providing for protection of reproductive health services records.

HB 1640 protects patient privacy for reproductive health care records in Pennsylvania. It requires healthcare providers (covered entities) to obtain written permission from patients before sharing records related to permitted reproductive services - such as pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion - except in limited circumstances like court orders, abuse investigations, or legal defense needs. The law explicitly preserves existing confidentiality protections under other state laws, including those for mental health and domestic violence services. It applies directly to patients seeking reproductive health care and the healthcare providers handling their records.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient privacy for reproductive health records, requiring written consent before sharing - directly aligns with patient rights protection in healthcare.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyHB 1640 explicitly protects patient data privacy for reproductive health records by requiring written consent before sharing, directly aligning with data privacy as a core technology policy aspect.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 25: An Act amending the act of May 22, 1951 (P.L.317, No.69), known as The Professional Nursing Law, further providing for title, for definitions, for State Board of Nursing, for dietitian-nutritionist license required, for unauthorized practices and acts not prohibited, for temporary practice permit, for graduates of schools of other states, territories or Dominion of Canada, for persons entitled to practice, for certified registered nurse practitioners and qualifications, for scope of practice for certified registered nurse practitioners, for prescriptive authority for certified registered nurse practitioners, for Drug Review Committee, for professional liability, for reporting of multiple licensure, for continuing nursing education, for punishment for violations, for refusal, suspension or revocation of licenses, for reinstatement of license and for injunction or other process; and providing for the expiration of the State Board of Nursing's power to license certified registered nurse practitioners.

SB 25 amends Pennsylvania's Professional Nursing Law to update regulations for certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs). It clarifies definitions, including "Advanced Practice Registered Nurse-Certified Nurse Practitioner" (APRN-CNP), and specifies their scope of practice, including prescribing authority for certain medications. The bill requires CRNPs to collaborate with physicians through written agreements and immediate communication protocols, while transferring oversight of CRNP licensing from the State Board of Medicine to the State Board of Nursing. These changes directly affect nurse practitioners, the State Board of Nursing, and physicians working with CRNPs in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAmends nursing law to clarify CRNP scope/prescriptive authority and collaboration requirements, enhancing provider capacity and patient access to care.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 29, 2025

HB 1974: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in powers and duties of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, establishing the Contingency Management Support Grant Program.

HB 1974 creates a new Contingency Management Support Grant Program within the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. The bill establishes a mechanism for distributing grants to support substance use disorder treatment programs that use evidence-based contingency management approaches (like providing rewards for treatment adherence). This program directly affects licensed treatment providers and individuals receiving substance use disorder services by providing funding for these specific support services. The bill amends the 1929 Administrative Code to authorize this grant program under the department's existing authority.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new grant program funding substance use disorder treatment, directly allocating state funds for public health services under Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds evidence-based substance use disorder treatment programs to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates grant program funding evidence-based substance use disorder treatment, directly advancing healthcare services for addiction through targeted funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 3, 2026

HR 134: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue a report on home and community-based services provided to individuals with physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism and other developmental disabilities with a focus on streamlining the application process and improving service delivery.

This resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study Pennsylvania's disability waiver programs. It specifically examines how to improve experiences for individuals receiving Home and Community-Based Services waivers through the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) and Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). The study will assess medical care access, healthcare support barriers, and staffing challenges for waiver participants. The findings will inform future improvements to these services, focusing on people with disabilities who rely on community-based care instead of institutional settings. (HR 134, 2025)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStudy targets medical care access barriers for disability waiver recipients, aiming to improve healthcare experience and inform service enhancements.85% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 881: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in bases of jurisdiction and interstate and international procedure, further providing for assistance to tribunals and litigants outside this Commonwealth with respect to service and for issuance of subpoena; in commencement of proceedings, further providing for authority of officers of another state to arrest in this Commonwealth; and, in detainers and extradition, further providing for definitions, for duty of Governor with respect to fugitives from justice and for presigned waiver of extradition.

SB 881 amends Pennsylvania's judicial statutes to exclude cases involving "reproductive health care services" from several legal processes. Specifically, it prohibits Pennsylvania courts from ordering service of documents or issuing subpoenas for cases outside the state related to reproductive health care (defined as services like pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion that are lawful in Pennsylvania). The bill also restricts out-of-state officers from arresting individuals for such offenses within Pennsylvania and prevents the governor from extraditing people for crimes involving these services. These provisions apply only to cases where the services would be legal under Pennsylvania law. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects reproductive health care services (abortion, contraception) from out-of-state legal actions by restricting PA court involvement, aligning with 'protects patient rights' in healthcare indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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signed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 7, 2025

SB 95: An Act amending the act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699), known as the Pharmacy Act, further providing for definitions, for licensing of pharmacists and for unlawful acts; and providing for price disclosure.

SB 95 amends Pennsylvania's Pharmacy Act to create a 180-day provisional license for pharmacists moving from other states, allowing them to practice without demonstrating competency under Pennsylvania's requirements. It also permits emergency medical services providers to distribute naloxone dose packages for opioid overdose reversal under specific conditions, including a Department of Health standing order and voluntary distribution without liability. Additionally, the bill requires pharmacies to disclose prescription drug prices (brand vs. generic), cost-sharing amounts, and health insurance options upon customer request. These changes aim to improve pharmacist mobility, expand naloxone access, and increase price transparency for consumers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates provisional pharmacist licenses to improve access and enables naloxone distribution for opioid overdose reversal, directly advancing public health and patient access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 11, 2025

HB 551: An Act providing for paid leave time for a pregnancy loss or related reason; and imposing penalties.

HB 551, the "Support Through Loss Act," requires employers with five or more employees in Pennsylvania to provide 24 hours of paid leave annually for employees experiencing pregnancy loss or related reproductive health events. It covers specific situations like pregnancy loss, failed fertility treatments (including assisted reproductive technology), adoption issues, or fertility-related diagnoses, as well as leave to care for a spouse or domestic partner in these circumstances. Employers must post notices about the policy and are prohibited from retaliating against employees who use this leave or discriminating based on its use. The bill takes effect for all covered employers starting January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides paid leave for reproductive health events including pregnancy loss, improving access to healthcare services and protecting employee rights during medical needs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates 24 hours of paid leave for pregnancy loss/reproductive health events, expanding worker benefits and protecting reproductive rights under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health Paid Leave

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