Healthcare

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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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SB 272: 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 infertility care coverage.

This bill requires most health insurance plans in Pennsylvania to cover infertility treatments without out-of-pocket costs (like deductibles or copays). It applies to individuals, spouses, and dependents seeking fertility care, including treatments like IVF, egg/sperm freezing, embryo transfers, and surrogacy costs. The law prohibits excluding coverage for infertility based on preexisting conditions, prior treatments, or arbitrary limits on the number of attempts. It specifically mandates coverage for 22 defined infertility services, including medical procedures and fertility preservation for those undergoing cancer treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates infertility treatment coverage without cost-sharing, expanding access to healthcare services per bill's requirements for IVF, egg freezing, and surrogacy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 24, 2025

HB 719: An Act prohibiting discriminatory practices against applicants and enrollees under certain insurance policies based on claims or prescriptions involving prophylaxis HIV medication.

HB 719 prohibits Pennsylvania insurance companies from denying coverage, limiting benefits, or charging higher rates to applicants or policyholders solely because they use FDA-approved HIV prevention medications (PrEP for pre-exposure or PEP for post-exposure prophylaxis). The bill directly affects individuals seeking or maintaining insurance coverage who are prescribed these medications for HIV prevention. It bans specific "adverse actions" like coverage denial, reduced benefits, or discriminatory pricing based solely on PrEP or PEP use. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment and enforces violations through existing insurance fraud and unfair practice laws.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurance discrimination against HIV prevention medication users, protecting coverage access and expanding preventive healthcare access per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 19, 2025

HB 1807: 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 work requirements for Medicaid enrollees.

HB 1807 requires Pennsylvania Medicaid enrollees aged 18 or older (who are physically and mentally capable of work) to work 20 hours weekly or complete 12 monthly job training activities to maintain coverage. Non-compliance results in temporary loss of Medicaid eligibility (3, then 6, then 9 months), with penalties applying after a second year of employment. The bill includes exemptions for full-time students, people with disabilities, pregnant individuals, those receiving Supplemental Security Income, and others in specific circumstances. It mandates annual federal waiver applications to implement these requirements, starting March 1, 2026. The policy directly affects working-age adults on Medicaid who do not qualify for exemptions.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareImposes work requirements on Medicaid enrollees, risking coverage loss for non-compliance, restricting access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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