Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 17, 2025

HB 1623: An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in regulation of insurers and related persons generally, providing for notification requirements for older adult health insurance policies.

HB 1623 requires health insurance companies in Pennsylvania to provide specific notifications to older adults about their health insurance policies. The bill targets policies designed for or held by older adults (typically age 65+), mandating that insurers share key details like coverage changes or cost adjustments. The key provision establishes a new notification requirement for insurers, aiming to improve transparency for older policyholders. The bill is currently referred to the Insurance committee for further review.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer notifications to older adults about policy changes, enhancing transparency and protecting patient rights in health insurance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 461: An Act providing for Commonwealth funding safety and transparency.

HB 461, the Commonwealth Funding Safety and Transparency Act, requires nonprofits and their partners receiving state funds for pregnancy-related services (like counseling, testing, and postdelivery support) to provide truthful information and follow specific standards. It mandates compliance with existing transparency laws for funded advertising, adherence to medical safety standards from the AMA and ACOG, and inclusion of all FDA-approved contraceptive options in program materials. Nonprofits failing to meet these requirements lose eligibility for state funding or tax incentives. The law applies directly to organizations administering pregnancy services with Commonwealth funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates inclusion of all FDA-approved contraceptives and adherence to medical safety standards for state-funded pregnancy services, ensuring comprehensive care access and truthful information.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 16, 2025

HB 1863: An Act establishing the Public Option Program and the Public Option Program Fund; and imposing duties on the Insurance Department.

HB 1863 would create a new public health insurance plan, called the Public Option, available to state residents as an alternative to private insurance. It establishes a dedicated Public Option Program Fund to support the plan and requires the Insurance Department to administer the program, including setting up enrollment and oversight. Health insurers would be obligated to participate in the Public Option Program. This bill directly affects residents seeking health coverage and insurers operating in the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated Public Option Program Fund to allocate state resources for new public health insurance program, directly funding a public service.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates public health insurance option, mandates insurer participation, expands coverage access as alternative to private plans95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Public Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 14, 2025

HB 117: 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, further providing for billing.

HB 117 requires insurers to include a clear, separate notice with reimbursement payments for emergency medical services provided by non-network EMS agencies. This notice must explain the service details (date, agency), clarify that the recipient is responsible for the EMS bill, and detail payment options - including whether the insurer already paid the agency or if the recipient owes copays/deductibles. The notice must be printed on red paper with "STOP" in 24-point bold and "Read this notice before depositing payment" in 18-point bold, using at least 10-point font size. The bill directly affects insurers sending such payments and the covered persons receiving them, ensuring transparency about billing responsibilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to provide clear billing notices for non-network EMS, informing patients of financial responsibility and payment options, protecting patient rights in healthcare billing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 444: 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 for postacute neurorehabilitation.

HB 444 requires most health insurance policies covering hospital or medical/surgical services to include coverage for postacute neurorehabilitation following an acquired brain injury. This includes specific therapies like cognitive rehabilitation, neurobehavioral treatment, and community reintegration services, with no arbitrary limits on the number of covered days if medically necessary. Insurers must verify providers are accredited through recognized programs (e.g., Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) and cannot apply stricter deductibles or copays than other covered benefits. The requirement does not apply to policies like dental, vision, workers’ compensation, or accident-only coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for postacute neurorehabilitation without arbitrary limits, expanding patient access to necessary care for brain injury recovery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 24, 2025

SB 22: An Act amending Title 50 (Mental Health) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for protection of minors on social media; and imposing penalties.

SB 22 amends Pennsylvania's mental health laws to protect minors under age 16 on social media. It prohibits social media companies from intentionally causing minors to access harmful content that risks their physical or mental health, with penalties including fines. Companies must take "good faith" steps to block such content, and recovered damages from violations will fund mental health services for students. The law directly affects social media platforms operating in Pennsylvania and aims to address rising teen mental health concerns linked to social media use.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFines from violations fund mental health services for students, directly advancing mental health initiatives under healthcare policy.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts social media content policies for minors, imposing penalties on platforms to prevent harmful exposure, directly limiting tech company operations under mental health protection framework90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Social Media

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 28, 2025

HB 389: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, establishing the New Nursing Faculty Grant Program; providing for duties of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency; and making an appropriation.

HB 389 establishes the New Nursing Faculty Grant Program to support nursing education in Pennsylvania. It provides $10,000 grants to eligible nursing faculty members at accredited medical colleges who are PA residents, employed full-time (or have a pending offer), and have no more than three years of experience. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will administer the program, prioritizing positions historically difficult to fill, with applications submitted by nursing program deans. Grants cover professional expenses and aim to increase enrollment capacity at nursing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $10,000 grants via appropriation for nursing faculty program, directly funding a public education initiative through state budget.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides $10,000 grants to nursing faculty at medical colleges for higher education staffing, directly funding faculty recruitment to strengthen nursing education programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes nursing faculty grants to address staffing shortages in healthcare education, directly funding workforce development for medical professionals per bill summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 10, 2025

HR 3: A Resolution designating the month of March 2025 as "Endometriosis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates March 2025 as "Endometriosis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or provide funding but formally recognizes endometriosis - a condition affecting about 10% of women - as a significant health issue. The resolution urges federal lawmakers to increase research funding for endometriosis, review Medicare/Medicaid billing codes to ensure fair reimbursement for surgical treatments, and establish a national awareness month. It directly affects Pennsylvanians by promoting public and medical awareness of endometriosis symptoms and diagnosis challenges, though it has no binding effect on state or federal policy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUrges increased research funding and Medicare/Medicaid billing code reviews to improve endometriosis patient access and reimbursement, advancing healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 6, 2025

HB 2011: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania National Guard, establishing the TRICARE Premium Reimbursement Program.

HB 2011 establishes a state program to reimburse Pennsylvania National Guard members for their TRICARE health insurance premiums. This directly affects current and future Pennsylvania National Guard members who pay for TRICARE coverage. The key provision creates a reimbursement mechanism where the state would refund members' monthly TRICARE premiums, reducing their out-of-pocket healthcare costs. The bill amends Pennsylvania's military affairs statutes to implement this financial assistance program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state expenditure to reimburse National Guard TRICARE premiums, increasing government spending on military benefits.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReimburses National Guard members' TRICARE premiums, reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs for military personnel.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransReimburses National Guard members' TRICARE premiums, reducing healthcare costs for veterans directly through state-funded benefit expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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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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