Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 16, 2025

HB 1740: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in abortion, further providing for legislative intent, providing for fetal heartbeat examination and further providing for medical consultation and judgment and for abortion on unborn child of 24 or more weeks gestational age; and making an editorial change.

HB 1740 would prohibit abortions for pregnancies at 24 or more weeks gestational age in Pennsylvania, directly affecting medical providers performing such procedures. The bill requires medical providers to examine for a fetal heartbeat before proceeding with an abortion and mandates that medical judgment be based on that examination. It also specifies that medical consultation must address the fetal heartbeat and the patient's condition. The bill is currently referred to the Judiciary committee, with no further action taken as of July 16, 2025.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts abortion access after 24 weeks, requiring fetal heartbeat checks and limiting medical procedures - directly limiting patient healthcare access95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

Track

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 30, 2025

HB 1100: 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 waiver to purchase diapers or menstrual hygiene products.

HB 1100 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to allow public assistance recipients to use their benefits to purchase diapers and menstrual hygiene products through a new waiver program. This directly affects low-income individuals and families enrolled in public assistance programs who currently cannot use their benefits for these essential items. The key provision adds diapers and menstrual hygiene products to the list of eligible purchases under an administrative waiver, changing the existing code to expand access to basic necessities. The bill does not change benefit amounts or eligibility criteria but creates a new pathway for purchasing specific hygiene products. It passed the legislature in June 2025 and was referred to the Health & Human Services committee for implementation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands essential hygiene access under public assistance, directly supporting health outcomes for low-income individuals by covering menstrual/diaper products via benefit waiver.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 8, 2025

HB 1435: 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 payments for extraordinary personal care services.

HB 1435 directs the Department of Human Services to seek federal approval to allow payments for specific personal care services. These services would be provided by legally responsible relatives to individuals who receive Medical Assistance. The bill specifies that these payments can only be implemented if the federal government grants a waiver. Additionally, the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee is required to study the costs of implementing any approved waiver and report its findings within three years.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medical Assistance coverage by enabling payments for personal care services provided by relatives, requiring federal waiver approval to improve access to care under public health program.92% confidence

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 25, 2025

SB 981: An Act amending the act of July 9, 1987 (P.L.220, No.39), known as the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act, further providing for legislative intent, for definitions, for license required, for State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors, for powers and functions of board, for qualifications for license, for procedures for licensing, for reciprocity, for endorsement of out-of-State licenses and for reinstatement of license; providing for restrictions on use of title "Licensed Recreational Therapist"; and further providing for penalties, for license renewal and records and fees and for unlawful practice.

SB 981 amends Pennsylvania's licensing law for social work and therapy professions to specifically regulate "Licensed Recreational Therapists." It defines recreational therapy practice (including 15 methods like assessment, treatment planning, and community integration) and requires a license for anyone using the title "Licensed Recreational Therapist." Unlike other licensed professions under this law, recreational therapists must hold a license for employment by the state, local governments, or nonprofit agencies. The bill also updates the State Board composition to include one licensed recreational therapist member.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates recreational therapists requiring licenses to ensure qualified practitioners provide healthcare services, aligning with mental health service quality and patient safety standards.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 16, 2025

HB 195: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, providing for Mental Health Workforce Retention Program; and making an appropriation.

HB 195 establishes Pennsylvania's Mental Health Workforce Retention Program under the Human Services Code. It provides $5,000 grants to mental health workers who are Pennsylvania residents and have worked with adolescents for at least seven consecutive years, using a lottery system to select recipients. The program allocates up to $1 million annually from a $5 million appropriation (continuing from the General Fund), with grants exempt from income tax. The program expires on June 30, 2030, and is open to workers in psychology, counseling, social work, or human services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1M annually from General Fund for mental health workforce grants, exempts grants from income tax, funding essential public service and providing tax relief per bill's appropriation and tax exemption language.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides $5,000 tax-exempt grants to mental health workers for retention, directly funding workforce stability under Mental Health Workforce Retention Program.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides $5,000 retention grants to mental health workers with tax exemption, directly supporting workforce stability and employment in a specific sector.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax State Budget

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SB 268: 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 cost-sharing calculation.

SB 268 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to establish rules for calculating health insurance cost-sharing. It requires insurers and pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to include all out-of-pocket payments made by insured individuals (or others on their behalf) when determining cost-sharing amounts like deductibles or copays. The law applies to health insurance policies issued, renewed, or entered into after its effective date, but excludes dental, vision, workers' compensation, and similar coverage types. This change directly affects health insurers, PBMs, and policyholders by standardizing how cost-sharing is calculated under health plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to include all out-of-pocket payments in cost-sharing calculations, reducing patient financial burden and protecting patient rights under health insurance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 5, 2025

SR 104: A Resolution recognizing the month of May 2025 as "National Mammography Month" in Pennsylvania.

SR 104 is a resolution that recognizes May 2025 as "National Mammography Month" in Pennsylvania. It encourages residents, especially those in high-risk groups, to schedule mammography appointments to promote early detection of breast cancer.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEncourages mammography screenings for early breast cancer detection, promoting preventive healthcare access and public health awareness within the healthcare topic.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 21, 2025

HB 1491: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in emergency medical services system, further providing for declaration of policy, for definitions, for emergency medical services system programs and for duties of department; establishing the State EMS Advisory Board; and further providing for emergency medical services patient care reports, for funding, for notification of trauma center closure, for State Advisory Board, for regional emergency medical services councils, for comprehensive plan, for contracts and grants and for scholarships for recruitment, training and retention.

HB 1491 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Health commissioner to continually assess and revise emergency medical services (EMS) agency functions to improve service quality, adapt to community needs, and boost recruitment/retention of EMS providers. It establishes a State EMS Advisory Board to advise on system improvements and updates definitions for key EMS roles and entities. The bill directly affects EMS agencies, providers, and the Department of Health by mandating ongoing system reviews and creating a formal advisory structure. Key provisions include requiring the commissioner to address recruitment challenges and ensure EMS systems meet evolving community demands.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates ongoing EMS system reviews, recruitment/retention boosts, and establishes advisory board to strengthen emergency medical services quality and access.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBoosts EMS provider recruitment/retention through mandated system reviews and advisory board, directly strengthening workforce retention in labor sector.95% confidence

Tags Public Safety

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 25, 2025

SB 978: 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 of allergenic protein dietary supplements.

SB 978 requires Pennsylvania health insurers to cover early allergen introduction dietary supplements (for peanut or egg protein) prescribed to infants under one year old at no additional cost to the insured. This directly affects infants with food allergy risks and their families covered by health insurance policies, excluding dental, vision, or limited-benefit plans. The law mandates coverage for medically prescribed supplements designed to reduce food allergy development, aligning with clinical guidance for early introduction. It applies to health insurance policies issued or renewed 60 days after the law's effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage of allergy-prevention supplements for infants, expanding access to preventive healthcare without cost-sharing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 27, 2025

HB 356: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, further providing for youth suicide awareness and prevention and providing for violence prevention and social inclusion.

HB 356 requires Pennsylvania public and private schools serving grades 6-12 to provide annual, evidence-based training on youth suicide awareness and prevention (at least one hour per school year), along with violence prevention training (also one hour annually). For grades K-12, schools must also offer social inclusion training (one hour yearly) focused on identifying social isolation and building peer connections. The Pennsylvania Department of Education must develop and publish a list of approved, no-cost training materials within one year of the law's effective date. These requirements apply directly to all school entities in the state, mandating specific content for students and staff on mental health, violence prevention, and social inclusion.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates annual suicide prevention, violence prevention, and social inclusion training for K-12 schools, enhancing student support programs and well-being initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates school-based suicide prevention training (mental health focus) and social inclusion programs, directly supporting mental health services under public health initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety Student Health

Track