Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 30, 2026

HB 996: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in emergency medical services system, further providing for basic life support ambulances.

HB 996 repeals an expiration date for a provision regulating basic life support ambulances in Pennsylvania's emergency medical services system. Specifically, it removes the clause stating that exceptions to ambulance standards would expire on April 29, 2027. This change means the existing regulatory exception for basic life support ambulances will remain in effect indefinitely without a future sunset date. The bill directly affects ambulance services and emergency medical providers operating under Pennsylvania's Title 35 health and safety regulations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes sunset clause for ambulance regulations, protecting current exception for basic life support ambulances and ensuring continuity of emergency medical services.80% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 51: An Act providing for individual and group health care insurance coverage protections and for core health benefits; imposing penalties; and providing for applicability and for regulations.

SB 51, the Health Insurance Core Benefits Coverage Act, requires Pennsylvania health insurance companies to cover specific core health benefits in both individual and group plans. It mandates coverage for 10 essential categories, including emergency services, mental health care, prescription drugs, hospitalization, preventive care, and pediatric services (like dental/vision for children). The law ensures plans are at least as comprehensive as those offered in 2018, with the Insurance Department allowed to adjust requirements through regulations. This directly affects insurers and policyholders by standardizing minimum coverage across the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 10 essential health benefits including mental health care, preventive services, and pediatric coverage; requires plans to be at least as comprehensive as 2018 standards with penalties for non-compliance.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates comprehensive health benefits coverage in employer group plans, expanding worker benefits and protections under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance Primary Care

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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 Dec 3, 2025

HB 2060: 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 pain parity in Medicaid and for pain parity in commercial insurance.

HB 2060 requires Pennsylvania's Medicaid program and private commercial insurers to provide equal coverage for non-opioid and opioid medications used to treat pain. It prohibits insurers from designating non-opioid pain drugs as "non-preferred" when opioids are preferred, imposing stricter prior authorization requirements on non-opioids, or placing non-opioids in higher-cost tiers than opioids. The law applies immediately to any FDA-approved pain medication, affecting Medicaid beneficiaries and private insurance customers across Pennsylvania. This policy change ensures that patients have equal access to both non-opioid and opioid treatment options without discriminatory coverage barriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires equal Medicaid/commercial insurance coverage for pain meds, preventing insurers from restricting non-opioid options and improving patient access to alternatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 1266: 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 pricing transparency; providing for acquisition of health care facilities; and conferring powers to the Department of Health and Attorney General.

HB 1266 requires Pennsylvania hospitals to publicly post detailed pricing information for standard medical services on their websites within six months of the law taking effect. Hospitals must list the full price (gross charge), negotiated prices for each insurance company (with the insurer's name), the minimum and maximum negotiated prices across all insurers, and the cash price for self-pay patients, along with service descriptions and standard billing codes. This transparency requirement applies to all hospitals and hospital systems in Pennsylvania and mandates ongoing disclosure even if federal pricing rules are repealed or no longer enforced.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to disclose transparent pricing for services, enabling informed patient decisions and improving access to cost information per bill summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 13, 2025

SB 967: 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 dyslexia.

SB 967 requires most health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover diagnostic testing for dyslexia under specific conditions, such as family history, school literacy screening failures, or a pediatrician's recommendation. It mandates coverage for comprehensive neuropsychological exams and related wellness plans, but caps annual benefits at $6,000 (adjusted for inflation), and excludes policies like accident-only, dental, or vision insurance. The law applies to individual and group health plans governed by Pennsylvania insurance regulations, directly affecting insurers and individuals meeting the eligibility criteria. It does not cover treatment, only diagnosis and screening as defined in the bill.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires health insurance coverage for dyslexia diagnosis, enabling early educational support access for students.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for dyslexia diagnostic testing and neuropsychological exams, expanding health insurance benefits for a specific medical need under healthcare policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 588: An Act amending the act of May 22, 1951 (P.L.317, No.69), known as The Professional Nursing Law, further providing for continuing nursing education.

HB 588 amends Pennsylvania's Professional Nursing Law to require registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to complete one hour of mandatory continuing education focused on older adult abuse recognition and reporting during each biennial license renewal period. This requirement applies to all license renewals (except initial licensure) and includes specific documentation rules, such as retaining certificates for five years and submitting them upon request. Failure to complete this hour may delay license renewal, trigger disciplinary action under existing penalties, or require remediation within six months. The bill directly affects nursing license holders in Pennsylvania seeking renewal, reinstatement, or reactivation of their licenses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates nurse training on elder abuse recognition, enhancing patient safety and care quality under healthcare standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 691: An Act amending Titles 35 (Health and Safety), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Nonnarcotic Medication Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program; in organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, providing for court assessments for substance use disorder treatment; in other criminal provisions, further providing for supervisory relationship to offenders; and, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for supervisory relationship to offenders.

SB 691 establishes the Nonnarcotic Medication Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program within Pennsylvania's Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. This program provides grants to local agencies, known as single county authorities, to offer comprehensive nonnarcotic medication-assisted treatment to offenders with substance use disorders. Eligible providers will assess offenders receiving various court-imposed sentences for drug-related offenses and offer individualized treatment plans, including FDA-approved nonnarcotic medication and counseling. The bill also allows courts to order substance use disorder assessments for these offenders and updates provisions related to their supervision by probation and parole.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes nonnarcotic medication-assisted treatment program for offenders with substance use disorders, aiming to reduce recidivism through rehabilitation rather than punishment, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nonnarcotic medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders via grants to local agencies, expanding healthcare access for offenders under court supervision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1307: An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to children and minors, providing for contracting and consent by certain minors.

HB 1307 allows homeless minors aged 16 or older who are self-supporting without parental financial or physical support to legally enter contracts for housing, employment, medical care (including domestic violence services), bank accounts, and automobile insurance. It requires parental consent (expressed or implied through actions like barring the minor from home or refusing support) or provider verification that returning home would cause harm. Minors’ consent for these services is binding like an adult’s and cannot be disaffirmed later, with providers protected from liability if they follow the consent procedures. The bill directly affects vulnerable homeless youth in Pennsylvania seeking independent access to essential services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows homeless minors (16+) to consent to medical care without parental consent, improving access for vulnerable youth in healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables homeless minors to legally secure housing contracts, directly addressing homelessness through expanded contractual capacity for vulnerable youth.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1350: An Act amending the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act, providing for resident care monitoring; and imposing penalties.

HB 1350 amends Pennsylvania's Health Care Facilities Act to establish rules for resident-permitted electronic monitoring in long-term care facilities. It allows residents or their guardians to authorize cameras or audio devices in their rooms, requiring specific written consent forms that include privacy options (like camera obstruction) and explicit consent from all roommates. The bill mandates that residents cover installation, maintenance, and internet costs, and protects facilities from liability for privacy violations when following these procedures. This directly affects residents in nursing facilities and their guardians by creating a structured process for personal monitoring consent.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables resident consent for electronic monitoring in care facilities, enhancing patient privacy rights and autonomy under healthcare facility regulations.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires privacy options (e.g., camera obstruction) and explicit consent for electronic monitoring, directly supporting data privacy in healthcare technology use.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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