Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SR 24: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to pass a food labeling modernization act and an allergen disclosure in non-food articles act.

This resolution (SR 24) urges the U.S. Congress to pass two specific laws: a food labeling modernization act and an allergen disclosure law for medications. It seeks to require clearer front-of-package labels on food showing gluten sources (including barley, oats, and rye, not just wheat) and to mandate that medication labels identify ingredients derived from major food allergens like gluten. The resolution directly addresses people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance - impacting an estimated 7% of the U.S. population - who face serious health risks from unlabeled gluten exposure. Current federal labeling only requires wheat identification, leaving other gluten sources unmarked and putting sensitive consumers at risk. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but calls on Congress to act.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates allergen disclosure in medications and food labeling for gluten-sensitive individuals (celiac disease), improving patient safety and access to critical health information.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 571: An Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Compact; providing for the form of the compact; imposing additional powers and duties on the Governor, the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the Compact.

SB 571 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, enabling occupational therapists licensed in one participating state to practice in Pennsylvania without obtaining a separate Pennsylvania license. It establishes that therapists practice where their patient is located, requires states to share licensure and disciplinary information, and includes provisions for military spouses relocating across state lines. The bill directly affects licensed occupational therapists, patients seeking services across state lines, and state licensing boards managing professional standards. Key mechanisms include mutual license recognition, a shared data system for tracking disciplinary actions, and telehealth service access rules. (3 sentences)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables out-of-state occupational therapists to practice in PA without separate license, improving access to therapy services and supporting healthcare professionals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Telehealth

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 582: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for award of grants.

SB 582 streamlines grant applications for Pennsylvania fire and emergency medical services (EMS) companies. It sets a 45-day annual application window, requires the state to act on applications within 60 days (with unaddressed applications deemed approved), and allows one 15-day extension per company every three years for reporting without needing to prove hardship. The bill directly affects local fire and EMS companies seeking state funding under Title 35. This procedural update simplifies administrative processes but does not change grant eligibility, amounts, or funding levels.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines grants for EMS, ensuring timely funding for emergency medical services under healthcare statutes, directly advancing public health infrastructure.95% confidence

Tags Public Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 10, 2025

HB 839: An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, in quality health care accountability and protection, further providing for continuity of care.

HB 839 amends Pennsylvania's 1921 Insurance Company Law to ensure patients can continue care with their current healthcare providers during network changes. It requires insurers to provide a 120-day transitional period (up from 60 days) for patients if a provider leaves a network or a contract expires, with extensions possible for clinical needs - especially for pregnancy-related care through postpartum. Insurers must notify patients of network changes and cannot allow non-participating providers to bill patients directly during this period, covering services at the same terms as in-network providers. The law applies to new or renewed health insurance policies 180 days after enactment and takes effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires 120-day transition for network changes with pregnancy care extensions, protecting patient access to continuity of care during insurer network shifts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1346: 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 menopause treatment coverage.

HB 1346 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to mandate coverage for menopause treatments in health insurance policies. This bill requires health insurance policies offered or renewed in the Commonwealth to provide coverage for both hormonal and non-hormonal treatments for menopausal symptoms. The required coverage includes FDA-approved drugs, devices, behavioral therapy, and treatments for menopause induced by a hysterectomy. This ensures individuals in Pennsylvania experiencing menopause or related symptoms have access to covered treatments, subject to the standard terms and conditions of their health insurance policy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for menopause treatments, expanding health insurance benefits and improving patient access to approved therapies under Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1244: 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 pelvic floor therapy.

HB 1244 requires health insurance policies and government health programs in Pennsylvania to cover pelvic floor therapy and related treatments for pelvic floor dysfunction. This includes services like biofeedback, trigger point therapy, electrical stimulation, and postoperative care for prostatectomies, hysterectomies, and postpartum assessments. The coverage applies to policies issued or renewed after the bill's effective date, though insurers may still apply medical necessity standards and cost-sharing requirements. The bill directly affects all health insurance companies and government health programs (such as Medicaid) operating under Pennsylvania's insurance law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for pelvic floor therapy, expanding patient access to specific treatments under health insurance policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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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 May 15, 2025

HB 1470: 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 subscription model for GLP-1 agonists.

HB 1470 proposes to amend the Human Services Code to establish a subscription-like model for GLP-1 agonists used to treat obesity within public assistance programs. The bill directs the state department to seek a waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to allow the Commonwealth to enter into value-based arrangements with drug manufacturers. These arrangements are defined as "supplemental rebate agreements," where the Commonwealth pays an agreed amount per treatment up to a cap, after which additional treatments are provided at no cost. If federal approval is granted, the department would then develop regulations to implement this new payment system.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes subscription model for GLP-1 agonists in public assistance via value-based agreements, seeking CMS waiver to improve access to obesity treatment medications within state healthcare programs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Sep 17, 2025

SB 1007: An Act providing for insurance coverage for transition intervention reversal services.

SB 1007 (An Act providing for insurance coverage for transition intervention reversal services) requires health insurance plans to cover medical services that reverse prior gender transition interventions, such as procedures to undo hormone therapy or surgical changes. This directly affects transgender individuals who have undergone medical transition and seek to reverse those treatments. The key provision mandates that insurers include coverage for these reversal services without additional cost-sharing, treating them similarly to other covered medical procedures. The bill is currently pending referral to the Banking & Insurance committee for further consideration. (Note: The bill title uses "transition intervention reversal services," which refers to medical services reversing prior gender transition treatments, not to be confused with broader policy debates.)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for reversal of gender transition treatments, expanding patient access to specific healthcare services per bill requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2025

HB 1670: 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 hearing aid coverage.

HB 1670 requires health insurance plans in Pennsylvania, including Medicare and Medicaid coverage, to provide hearing aid benefits. Specifically, it mandates that insurers offer at least $2,500 in coverage every three years for hearing aids sold under state registration rules, with benefits applicable to either hearing aid sellers or contracted fitters. This applies to most health insurance policies but excludes dental, vision, Medicare supplements, and other specified plans. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment, impacting insurers and enrollees in covered health plans across the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates hearing aid coverage in health insurance, expanding patient access to a specific healthcare service under state-regulated plans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Medicare

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