Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 648: An Act establishing requirements for hospital-based financial assistance; providing for hospital-based financial assistance forms, for information about hospital-based financial assistance programs and for reporting of hospital-based financial assistance policies; and imposing duties on the Department of Health.

SB 648 establishes new requirements for hospital-based financial assistance programs for residents of Pennsylvania. It mandates the Department of Health to create uniform application forms, a one-page summary template for hospital eligibility policies, and a brief statement about financial assistance availability. Hospitals must post these forms and their full financial assistance policies online, provide the summary to patients upon intake and discharge, and include the brief statement on all billing and admission paperwork. Additionally, patients are not responsible for bills while their application is under review, and hospitals must submit their policies to the Department of Health for public display.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates uniform financial assistance forms and online policy transparency to improve patient access to hospital care, strengthening healthcare affordability and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 17, 2025

HB 111: An Act prohibiting discrimination in certain life insurance policies based on certain drugs.

HB 111 prohibits life insurance companies in Pennsylvania from denying coverage, limiting benefits, or charging higher rates to applicants or policyholders solely because they have been prescribed an opioid overdose reversal agent (like naloxone). The bill directly affects individuals who use these medications, including those with opioid use disorder or at risk of overdose. It defines "adverse action" to include these discriminatory practices and makes such actions violations of existing laws against unfair insurance practices. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits life insurance discrimination for opioid reversal drug use, protecting access to care for vulnerable populations and preventing coverage denials based on health treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 2, 2025

SB 716: An Act amending the act of July 9, 1976 (P.L.817, No.143), known as the Mental Health Procedures Act, in general provisions, further providing for statement of policy and for definitions.

Senate Bill 716 amends Pennsylvania's Mental Health Procedures Act, primarily to update terminology and expand the scope of mental health services. The bill explicitly includes "substance use disorder" as a mental illness, making it eligible for treatment under the act. It also clarifies that assisted outpatient treatment services can encompass substance use disorder treatments, especially when co-occurring with a primary mental illness diagnosis. Additionally, the bill updates outdated language for conditions such as intellectual disability, alcohol use disorder, and age-related cognitive decline.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly includes substance use disorder as mental illness under treatment scope, expanding mental health coverage and clarifying assisted outpatient services for co-occurring conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1365: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for public health notification programs; and establishing the Medication-Induced Movement Disorders Screening Education Program.

HB 1365 establishes Pennsylvania's Medication-Induced Movement Disorders Screening Education Program within the Department of Health. The program requires the development of educational materials for healthcare providers and the public about symptoms and screening for involuntary movement disorders caused by long-term mental health medications. It mandates the Department of Health to create electronic resources posted online and distribute guidance to facilities serving high-risk populations, including coordination with agencies like Mental Health Services and the Department of Aging. The bill focuses on raising awareness and standardizing screening practices, with implementation required within 60 days of enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health medication screening education program for providers/public, improving awareness of medication side effects and patient safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 17, 2025

HB 1527: An Act reenacting and amending the act of July 7, 2017 (P.L.285, No.14), entitled "An act establishing the Rare Disease Advisory Council and providing for its powers and duties; and providing for duties of the Department of Health, the Insurance Department, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Education."

HB 1527 updates the existing Rare Disease Advisory Council established in 2017, clarifying its structure and responsibilities. The bill directly affects patients with rare diseases and requires coordination among the Department of Health, Insurance Department, Department of Human Services, and Department of Education. Key provisions mandate the council to advise state agencies on rare disease research, treatment access, insurance coverage, and resource allocation. It also specifies how departments must collaborate on policies impacting rare disease patients, ensuring a unified state approach.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates council to advise on rare disease treatment access, insurance coverage, and resource allocation, directly advancing patient access and coordination across healthcare agencies.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 17, 2025

HB 922: 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 fertility preservation coverage.

HB 922 requires health insurance plans in Pennsylvania to cover fertility preservation services, such as freezing eggs, sperm, or embryos, without cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays). This applies to individuals under 45 at risk of infertility due to medical treatments (e.g., cancer therapy), including covered spouses and dependents. The bill mandates coverage for specific services like storage, consultations, embryo transfers, and related diagnostics, while prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions or arbitrary limits on coverage. It also requires storage coverage for five years (or until age 18 for minors) and aligns with medical guidelines from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for fertility preservation without cost-sharing, expanding access to reproductive health services for patients at risk of infertility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 18, 2025

HB 1652: An Act amending the act of September 9, 1965 (P.L.497, No.251), known as the Newborn Child Testing Act, further providing for Newborn Child Screening and Follow-up Program.

HB 1652 adds Gaucher disease to Pennsylvania's mandatory newborn screening program under the Newborn Child Testing Act. The bill expands the existing program to require screening for this genetic disorder in newborns, directly affecting all infants born in Pennsylvania. Key provisions include updating the list of covered conditions under Section 3(a)(1) of the 1965 Act, ensuring healthcare providers screen for Gaucher disease to identify it early. This change aims to enable timely treatment to prevent intellectual or physical disabilities, aligning with the program's existing purpose. The bill does not alter funding or implementation processes, only adding one specific condition to the screening list.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Pennsylvania's mandatory newborn screening program to include Gaucher disease, enabling early detection and timely treatment, strengthening public health services for infants.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 6, 2025

SR 121: A Resolution designating August 31, 2025, as "Overdose Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates August 31, 2025, as "Overdose Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It requests the Governor to issue a proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the day through appropriate activities, and to order flags flown at half-staff. The resolution aims to raise awareness about drug overdoses, reduce stigma around substance use, and acknowledge the impact of overdose deaths on families and communities. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of the overdose crisis.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareResolution raises awareness about drug overdoses and reduces stigma around substance use, aligning with mental health advocacy efforts in healthcare policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 850: An Act amending the act of November 3, 2022 (P.L.2135, No.150), known as the Childhood Blood Lead Test Act, further providing for legislative purpose, for definitions, for lead poisoning prevention, assessment and testing and for blood lead assessment and testing coverage.

SB 850 amends Pennsylvania's Childhood Blood Lead Test Act to require all children under 72 months to receive at least one blood lead test by age 2 (or by 72 months if never tested), and mandates confirmatory testing if initial results indicate elevated lead levels. It directly affects children under 72 months and pregnant women, ensuring no out-of-pocket costs (like copays or deductibles) for covered blood lead tests. The bill updates testing requirements to be mandatory (replacing "encourage" with "require") and clarifies that health insurance must cover these tests without cost-sharing. These changes aim to improve early detection of lead exposure, a preventable health risk linked to developmental issues in young children.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates free blood lead testing for children under 72 months, removing financial barriers to preventive healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 535: An Act providing for health care insurance coverage protections; imposing duties on the Insurance Department and the Insurance Commissioner; and imposing penalties.

HB 535 bans Pennsylvania health insurers from setting annual or lifetime dollar limits on core health benefits for enrollees, whether services are provided by in-network or out-of-network providers. It applies to all individual and group health insurance policies (excluding specific types like Medicare supplements or dental/vision-only plans) and prohibits limits on benefits that were already covered without such caps in 2025 policies. The Insurance Department can enforce this through fines up to $5,000 per violation (or $10,000 for willful violations), with annual caps of $500,000 for insurers. The law does not require coverage of specific benefits but eliminates existing dollar limit practices for covered services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans insurers from imposing annual/lifetime dollar limits on core health benefits, protecting patient access to essential care without financial caps.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBans health insurers from capping core benefits, expanding worker health coverage protections under employment standards as a key benefit.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

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