Healthcare (Women's Health)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 883: An Act amending Title 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in powers and duties, providing for limitations on licensure disqualification and discipline.

SB 883 prevents Pennsylvania licensing boards from disqualifying or disciplining healthcare professionals who provide reproductive health care services, including pregnancy-related care, contraception, or abortion services. It specifically protects licensed providers (like doctors, nurses, or clinics) from penalties based on their provision of such services, or from disciplinary actions imposed in other states for the same services if they would have been lawful in Pennsylvania. The law amends state licensing statutes to prohibit these disciplinary actions, ensuring that licensed professionals cannot face licensure consequences for offering reproductive health care consistent with Pennsylvania standards. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents disciplinary actions against healthcare providers offering reproductive care, protecting access to services like abortion and contraception under healthcare access rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Women's Health

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 4, 2025

SR 27: A Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study as to the feasibility of establishing a no-fault catastrophic loss fund to provide payment for claims brought as the result of birth-related neurological injuries in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution (SR 27) directs Pennsylvania's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the feasibility of creating a no-fault catastrophic loss fund for birth-related neurological injury claims. The study would examine whether such a fund - paying claims without requiring proof of medical negligence - could help address high malpractice insurance costs for obstetric providers and reduce barriers to obstetric care in Pennsylvania, particularly in underserved areas. The committee must also analyze costs in other states with similar funds and consult with hospitals, providers, and patient advocates before reporting back within one year.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStudy aims to address obstetric care access barriers by exploring no-fault fund to reduce malpractice costs for providers, improving patient access to care.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 31, 2025

HB 432: An Act providing for Maternal Care Access Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Health.

HB 432 establishes Pennsylvania's Maternal Care Access Program under the Department of Health to address gaps in maternal healthcare. The bill identifies counties as "maternal care access zones" using the Maternal Vulnerability Index (based on social factors like poverty, education, and healthcare access) and the Social Vulnerability Index. It requires the Department to develop regulations for improving access to obstetric care, birth centers, and providers in areas classified as "maternity care deserts" (regions lacking hospitals, birth centers, or specialized providers within 25 miles). The program directly affects underserved communities and the Department of Health, focusing on concrete policy changes to expand maternal health resources.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates Maternal Care Access Program to address healthcare gaps, improve obstetric care access, and develop regulations for providers in vulnerable zones, directly advancing healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 1070: An Act amending the act of July 2, 1996 (P.L.514, No.85), known as the Health Security Act, further providing for definitions and for postpartum coverage standards; providing for provisions relating to involuntary discharge; and imposing duties on the Department of Human Services.

HB 1070 requires all health insurance policies covering maternity benefits in Pennsylvania to provide 24 additional hours of elective postpartum observation and care beyond the existing 48-96 hours of inpatient coverage, starting January 1, 2026. It also prohibits hospitals from involuntarily discharging postpartum patients or newborns between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., with billing under "observation status" if discharge is refused. The bill directly affects mothers, newborns, hospitals, and health insurers by extending coverage duration and restricting nighttime discharges. The Department of Human Services must seek a federal waiver to extend government program coverage for this additional 24-hour period.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires 24 additional hours of postpartum coverage and prohibits involuntary discharges between 10 PM-8 AM, expanding maternal health protections and patient rights.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands maternity healthcare benefits by mandating 24+ hours postpartum coverage and prohibiting involuntary discharge, strengthening employee health protections under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 790: An Act amending the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act, in licensing of health care facilities, providing for hospital emergency abortion services.

HB 790 requires Pennsylvania hospitals with emergency departments to provide abortion services when an individual has an emergency medical condition that necessitates an abortion to stabilize their health. This applies to all hospitals in the state with emergency departments, directly affecting those facilities and the patients seeking emergency care. The bill defines "emergency medical condition" to include life-threatening situations like ectopic pregnancy, preeclampsia, or complications from pregnancy loss, requiring hospitals to offer the service unless the patient or their legal representative refuses after being informed of risks and benefits. Hospitals must take reasonable steps to secure written consent for refusal to ensure compliance. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates abortion services in emergency medical conditions, expanding patient access to critical care per defined health emergencies like ectopic pregnancy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 1645: An Act amending Title 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in powers and duties, providing for limitations on discipline.

HB 1645 protects licensed healthcare professionals in Pennsylvania from losing their licenses or facing disciplinary action for providing reproductive health care services, including abortion. The bill prohibits licensing boards from disciplining individuals who assist in such services, even if they were sanctioned in another state for the same work when it would have been legal in Pennsylvania. It defines "reproductive health care services" to include medical care related to pregnancy, contraception, and termination of pregnancy. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare providers from license discipline for reproductive care, expanding access to abortion services and safeguarding patient rights in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 17, 2025

HB 917: An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in regulation of insurers and related persons generally, repealing provisions relating to compliance with Federal health care legislation.

HB 917 repeals Chapter 33 of Pennsylvania's Insurance Code, which previously required insurers offering plans through the state's health insurance exchange to follow specific federal health care law rules regarding abortion coverage. The repealed provisions included a ban on abortion coverage in most plans (except for complications or miscarriage treatment) and an opt-out option for abortion coverage. This bill directly affects insurers and health plans sold through Pennsylvania's health insurance exchange by removing these specific federal compliance requirements. The change eliminates the state's prior restrictions on abortion coverage within qualified health plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals abortion coverage restrictions in insurance plans, removing bans and opt-outs to expand reproductive healthcare access within coverage policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Women's Health

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Oct 3, 2025

HB 1212: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions, providing for drug screening and awareness education and for fatherhood engagement in maternal health; and imposing duties on the Joint State Government Commission.

HB 1212 requires Pennsylvania maternal health programs to provide drug screening and awareness education to patients. It also mandates the inclusion of fatherhood engagement strategies in prenatal care discussions, directly affecting pregnant individuals and their partners receiving maternal health services. The bill imposes specific duties on the Joint State Government Commission to develop and oversee these program requirements. These provisions aim to integrate substance use prevention and family involvement into standard maternal health care protocols.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates drug screening, awareness education, and fatherhood engagement in maternal health programs, expanding preventive care services within state health statutes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 9, 2025

HB 1841: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in abortion, further providing for informed consent and providing for medical education.

HB 1841 amends Pennsylvania's abortion laws to require healthcare providers to provide specific information to patients before performing an abortion, directly affecting abortion providers and patients seeking the procedure. The bill mandates that providers give additional details about the procedure, potential risks, and alternatives to informed consent. It also includes provisions requiring medical education for healthcare professionals regarding abortion care. These changes aim to standardize patient information and provider training within the state's legal framework for abortion services.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareAdds mandatory informed consent and medical education requirements for abortion providers, restricting access to abortion care services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 1140: An Act providing for access to contraceptives; imposing duties on the Insurance Department and the Department of Human Services; providing for severability; and imposing penalties.

HB 1140 requires health insurers and Medicaid/CHIP managed care plans in Pennsylvania to cover all FDA-approved contraceptives - including prescription drugs, devices, emergency contraception (like levonorgestrel), and oral contraceptives - without any out-of-pocket costs for enrollees. It specifically prohibits prior authorization or step therapy for emergency and oral contraceptives, and mandates coverage for sterilization procedures and related services like counseling. The bill directly affects health insurers, managed care plans, and their enrollees by expanding contraceptive coverage under state insurance regulations. It exempts male condoms from coverage requirements but ensures no cost-sharing for covered contraceptive methods.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptives, removing cost barriers and expanding access to reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid Women's Health

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