Healthcare

signed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 30, 2025

HB 261: 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, further providing for conditions subject to which policies are to be issued and for group accident and sickness insurance; and, in community health reinvestment, further providing for definitions.

HB 261 amends Pennsylvania's 1921 Insurance Company Law to update coverage rules for dependents and clarify community health definitions. It requires insurers to continue health coverage for unmarried children with intellectual or physical disabilities (who became disabled before age 19 and remain dependent) past age 19, provided policyholders submit proof within 31 days of the child's 19th birthday. The bill also revises "community health reinvestment activity" to explicitly include programs for preventing/treating intellectual disabilities and mental health services. These changes apply to policies issued after January 1, 1968, affecting insurers, employers offering group plans, and policyholders with disabled dependents. The law took effect immediately upon signing in June 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to extend health coverage for disabled dependents past age 19, expanding access to healthcare services for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 787: An Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact; and providing for the form of the compact.

HB 787 would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact, a multi-state agreement. The bill creates a system where dentists and dental hygienists can more easily obtain licenses in participating states by sharing a single set of documents and passing the nationally recognized ADEX exam, eliminating duplicate paperwork and fees. This directly affects dental professionals seeking to practice across state lines, including military personnel and their spouses who receive expedited processing. The compact maintains each state's authority to regulate dental practice and take disciplinary action while standardizing licensing requirements and reducing costs for licensees.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines dental licensure across states, improving access to dental services for patients and professionals without restricting care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 451: An Act amending Title 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in powers and duties, providing for amnesty for disciplinary actions regarding COVID-19 protocols.

HB 451 reinstates licenses suspended or revoked for failing to comply with Pennsylvania's pandemic-related health orders during the state's emergency period (March 6, 2020, to when the Governor's proclamation ended). It directly affects healthcare professionals and other licensed workers whose licenses were disciplined for non-compliance with specific COVID-19 protocols, including Governor proclamations, health department orders, or pandemic guidance. The bill automatically removes these disciplinary actions from records without requiring new applications or hearings. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReinstates licenses for healthcare professionals disciplined under pandemic protocols, restoring access to care by removing barriers to licensed practitioners.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 752: An Act amending the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act, providing for hospital price transparency and for prohibition on collection action of debt against patients for noncompliant hospitals.

SB 752 requires Pennsylvania hospitals to publicly disclose standardized pricing for services in a clear, online format. Hospitals must list gross charges, negotiated rates with insurers, discounted cash prices, and billing codes for all services - especially "shoppable" outpatient procedures - on their websites and provide printed copies upon request. The law prohibits hospitals from pursuing debt collection from patients if they fail to comply with these transparency rules. This directly affects hospitals (requiring new reporting duties) and patients (providing clearer cost information before care). The policy aims to increase price visibility without mandating specific pricing structures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to disclose pricing transparency, protects patients from debt collection for noncompliant hospitals, enhancing access and patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 14, 2025

HB 1801: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in abortion, further providing for medical consultation and judgment and for informed consent.

HB 1801 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to update requirements for medical consultation and informed consent in abortion procedures. It directly affects healthcare providers performing abortions and patients seeking the procedure by mandating specific medical information be discussed during the consent process. The key provision requires providers to offer detailed, non-coercive information about the medical aspects of abortion, including risks, alternatives, and available resources, to ensure patients make informed decisions. This bill modifies existing informed consent standards under Title 18 of Pennsylvania law, focusing on clarifying provider obligations. The bill was referred to the Health committee on August 14, 2025, and remains pending further action.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareMandates specific abortion counseling requirements that could restrict patient access to abortion services, a healthcare procedure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 22, 2025

HB 268: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, further providing for the medically needy and determination of eligibility.

HB 268 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to require that individuals determined eligible for home- and community-based waiver services must be offered those benefits within 90 days of eligibility determination. The bill directly affects Pennsylvanians applying for medically needy assistance through home-care waiver programs. Its key provision (Section 442.1(d)) establishes a strict 90-day timeline for offering waiver benefits after eligibility is confirmed, aiming to streamline access to community-based care. This is a procedural change to eligibility processing, not a new benefit or funding measure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires 90-day timeline for offering home-care waiver benefits, improving patient access to medically needy assistance programs per Section 442.1(d).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 707: An Act amending the act of July 8, 2007 (P.L.90, No.28), known as the Freedom to Breastfeed Act, providing for accommodation for breastfeeding in Commonwealth-owned buildings; and imposing duties on the Department of General Services.

HB 707 amends Pennsylvania's Freedom to Breastfeed Act to require all Commonwealth-owned buildings (like state offices, courthouses, and the State Museum) to provide dedicated nursing parent rooms. These rooms must be at least 50 square feet, lockable, accessible, and include essentials like a chair, work surface, sink, refrigerator, and privacy. The Department of General Services must install signage, maintain a public online list of room locations, and ensure compliance with accessibility standards. This directly affects employees and the public using state buildings who need to breastfeed or express milk.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates nursing rooms in state buildings, improving access to breastfeeding support - a public health initiative protecting maternal/infant healthcare access.95% confidence

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 22, 2025

HB 433: 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, further providing for coverage for mammographic examinations and breast imaging.

HB 433 requires health insurance plans to cover mammograms and breast imaging services without cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles) for policyholders. It directly affects women needing preventive breast cancer screenings and the insurance companies providing health coverage. The bill amends Pennsylvania’s 1921 Insurance Company Law to mandate this coverage for mammographic examinations and breast imaging under casualty insurance policies. This policy change ensures these essential preventive services are fully covered at no additional cost to patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost coverage for mammograms/breast imaging under insurance, removing financial barriers to preventive cancer screenings per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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failed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 49: An Act establishing the Cannabis Control Board; providing for powers and duties of the Cannabis Control Board; establishing the Cannabis Regulation Fund; providing for permits and for dispensing cannabis to patients and caregivers; and making repeals.

SB 49 establishes Pennsylvania's Cannabis Control Board to regulate medical cannabis, replacing the prior oversight structure under the 2016 Medical Marijuana Act. The board will manage permits for cannabis organizations (including warehousing, distribution, and transport), oversee dispensing to registered medical patients and caregivers, and administer a Cannabis Regulation Fund. Key provisions include defining cannabis products (excluding industrial hemp), setting THC limits, and requiring board meetings and public records. This bill directly affects medical cannabis organizations, patients, and caregivers by creating a centralized regulatory system for their operations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables medical cannabis access for patients and caregivers, improving treatment options under healthcare services per bill's dispensing provisions.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 656: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for administration of emergency anti-seizure medication.

HB 656 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to allow trained school staff to administer emergency anti-seizure medication during seizures when a nurse is unavailable. It directly affects students with epilepsy in public schools who have been prescribed such medication, requiring parental request and adherence to approved training guidelines. The bill establishes that non-nurse staff may provide emergency assistance only after completing designated training and following protocols approved by the Department of Education. It specifies that nasal spray or similar FDA-approved treatments may be used, while ensuring students' rights under disability laws like IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act are upheld. The policy change is voluntary for staff and requires schools to notify parents about potential accommodations under 504 plans or IEPs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures student safety during seizures in schools, enabling continued educational access for epilepsy patients via trained staff protocols under Public School Code.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables trained school staff to administer emergency anti-seizure medication for students with epilepsy, improving access to critical healthcare services in schools.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Healthcare Workforce

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