Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 22, 2025

SB 936: An Act requiring health insurance policies to provide coverage for postexposure prophylaxis HIV medication.

SB 936, the "PEP for Pennsylvania Act," requires all health insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania to cover the cost of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) HIV medication - FDA-approved drugs taken after potential HIV exposure to prevent infection. It mandates this coverage for all qualifying health insurance plans (excluding dental, vision, or limited benefit policies) starting 60 days after the law takes effect, and prohibits insurers from placing PEP medications in higher-cost specialty tiers solely for profit. The bill also prevents insurers from requiring unnecessary counseling from infectious disease specialists to access PEP, unless medically needed. This directly affects Pennsylvania residents with health insurance by ensuring access to critical HIV prevention medication without financial barriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for HIV PEP, preventing cost barriers and expanding access to preventive care for high-risk individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 16, 2025

HB 1739: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing an All Payor Claims Database; imposing duties on the Health Care Cost Containment Council; imposing penalties; and making an appropriation.

HB 1739 would create a statewide "All Payor Claims Database" under Pennsylvania's health laws, requiring healthcare providers and insurers to submit claims data to this centralized system. The Health Care Cost Containment Council would be responsible for managing the database and ensuring compliance, with penalties for failure to report data accurately. The bill includes funding ("makes an appropriation") to support the database's development and operation. This directly affects healthcare providers, insurers, and the Council, as they would be required to submit, manage, and use the claims data for oversight purposes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly 'makes an appropriation' to fund the All Payor Claims Database, directly allocating state budget resources for healthcare data management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates mandatory claims database with funding to improve healthcare cost transparency and management under health laws, directly advancing administrative efficiency in healthcare delivery.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 15, 2025

HB 1469: 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.

House Bill 1469 amends the Health Care Facilities Act to establish requirements for hospital price transparency. It mandates that hospitals publish a comprehensive list of their standard charges for all items and services on their public websites in a readable digital format. This list must include gross charges, discounted cash prices, and various negotiated rates with third-party payors. The bill also provides for a prohibition on debt collection action against patients by hospitals that do not comply with these requirements, aiming to give patients clearer access to pricing information.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates hospital price transparency and prohibits debt collection against patients, improving access and protecting patient rights under healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 2030: An Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Interstate Compact; providing for the form of the compact; and imposing additional powers and duties on the Governor and the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

HB 2030 would allow Pennsylvania to join the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Interstate Compact, enabling APRNs (like nurse practitioners and anesthetists) to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses in each state. This directly affects APRNs working in Pennsylvania and those seeking to practice in other compact states. The bill requires the Governor and Secretary of the Commonwealth to adopt the compact's terms and implement its provisions. If enacted, it would streamline licensing for APRNs providing care in multiple states, reducing administrative barriers for healthcare providers and patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables APRNs to practice across state lines without separate licenses, expanding healthcare access and supporting medical professionals' mobility in patient care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 614: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, providing for primary care workforce initiative; and making an appropriation.

SB 614 amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to establish a state-funded initiative supporting workforce development for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which are community health centers serving rural and underserved areas. The bill directly affects FQHCs by providing funding to recruit and retain primary care staff, addressing documented shortages in these facilities. Key provisions include creating a dedicated funding stream within the state budget specifically for FQHC workforce expansion, with appropriations to cover hiring and training costs. This policy change aims to strengthen primary care access in communities with limited healthcare resources through targeted financial support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated state appropriation for FQHC workforce development, directly increasing budgeted spending on essential healthcare services for underserved communities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds FQHC workforce development to address staff shortages in community health centers serving underserved areas, directly strengthening primary care access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds recruitment/retention for FQHC primary care staff, directly addressing workforce shortages in underserved healthcare settings, advancing employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Primary Care Workforce Development

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 58: An Act establishing the Medicaid Care Transition Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Human Services.

SB 58 establishes the Medicaid Care Transition Program to address delays in moving Medicaid patients from emergency departments to appropriate post-acute care settings. It directly affects Medicaid enrollees stuck in emergency departments, hospitals, and county Medicaid managed care plans (as "responsible entities"). Key provisions require responsible entities to create care transition units that work with hospitals to secure placements within 24 hours (or seek out-of-network options if needed), and notify the Department of Human Services if placement fails after 48 hours. The Department must then convene teams to resolve barriers, collect data, and submit annual reports to legislative committees on program effectiveness.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Medicaid Care Transition Program to reduce ER wait times for post-acute care, improving patient access and system efficiency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 533: An Act amending the act of April 17, 2016 (P.L.84, No.16), known as the Medical Marijuana Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions.

HB 533 amends Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act by updating the definition of "serious medical condition" to add autism as a qualifying condition (new item 17) and creating a new category (item 17.1) allowing practitioners to deem other conditions serious. This change directly affects patients seeking medical marijuana authorization, expanding eligibility to include autism and allowing healthcare providers to recommend additional conditions. The bill does not alter program operations, taxes, or other provisions - only clarifies which conditions qualify under the law. The amendment takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds autism as a qualifying medical condition for marijuana use and allows practitioners to recommend additional conditions, expanding patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 1548: An Act authorizing the State Workers' Insurance Board to make available health insurance policies for purchase by the general public; providing for premiums; and authorizing a loan from the State Workers' Insurance Fund.

HB 1548 authorizes Pennsylvania's State Workers' Insurance Board to sell health insurance policies directly to the general public, not just state workers. The program must include minimum coverage for inpatient/outpatient hospital care, emergency services, preventive care, and basic medical services like doctor visits, physical therapy, and lab tests. The Board may borrow up to 40% of the State Workers' Insurance Fund’s annual balance to cover claims and administrative costs, with premiums partially funding loan repayments. This program will begin on January 1, 2026, offering a new public option for health insurance in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes public health insurance access with mandatory minimum coverage (hospital, emergency, preventive care), expanding coverage options beyond state workers to general public.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Primary Care

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 18, 2025

SB 860: 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 reimbursement for certain medical assistance items and services.

This bill requires Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services to establish a dental benefit package for medical assistance recipients aged 21 and older by 2025-2026. It mandates that the dental coverage must maintain all existing services provided before 2011 and cannot remove any current benefits, though it may add new coverages. The department must seek federal approval via a waiver or State plan amendment to implement this dental coverage. The bill also requires the department to publish notices in the Pennsylvania Bulletin detailing the benefit package, which will remain in effect until updated by regulation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires dental benefits expansion for medical assistance recipients, maintains existing services, and mandates federal approval for implementation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands dental benefits for medical assistance recipients (including low-wage workers), maintaining existing services and adding new coverages, aligning with worker benefit expansion.85% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 18, 2025

HB 1715: 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.

The bill (HB 1715) amends Pennsylvania's Newborn Child Testing Act to enhance newborn screening and follow-up programs. It directly affects newborns, parents, and healthcare providers by updating requirements for screening tests and ensuring timely medical follow-up for infants with positive results. The bill's key provisions focus on improving the accuracy and efficiency of the screening process and strengthening coordination between healthcare facilities and public health agencies. As currently described in the provided context, the bill's specific policy changes beyond the title are not detailed. It is pending in the Health committee after being laid on the table.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAmends newborn screening act to enhance testing, follow-up, and coordination, strengthening public health program access and outcomes per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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