Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 14, 2025

HB 90: 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 verification of eligibility.

HB 90 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to require applicants and recipients of medical assistance for children to cooperate with state departments in securing medical support from non-custodial parents. It prohibits accepting private agreements where custodial parents would provide medical support instead of pursuing the non-custodial parent, ensuring children access available medical support under state law. Exceptions apply if the custodial parent is a domestic violence victim (verified per state standards), interrupting a child's medical care would endanger them, or pursuing support harms the child or custodial parent. If a non-custodial parent withholds required information, they must reimburse the state for medical costs, but this does not make the child ineligible for assistance. Medical aid must continue without delay during verification.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures children access medical support by requiring pursuit of non-custodial parents for medical assistance, improving access to healthcare coverage under state law.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 14, 2025

HB 1803: An Act establishing the Advisory Council on PANDAS and PANS; and providing for the duties of the Advisory Council on PANDAS and PANS.

HB 1803 establishes an Advisory Council focused on PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) and PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome), conditions affecting children's health. The bill defines the council's responsibilities, including providing guidance to state health officials on these conditions. This council will be created within the state government, with members appointed to address medical, research, and support needs. The bill does not amend existing laws but creates a new advisory structure to improve care for children impacted by PANDAS and PANS.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Advisory Council to guide state health officials on pediatric neuropsychiatric conditions (PANDAS/PANS), strengthening healthcare policy framework for affected children.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1827: An Act providing for medical assistance coverage and insurance coverage of screening, prevention and treatment measures for osteoporosis as a result of menopause.

This bill requires Medicaid programs and private health insurance plans to cover bone density screenings, preventive care, and treatments for osteoporosis specifically linked to menopause. It directly affects postmenopausal women, particularly those with low income who rely on Medicaid, by ensuring access to these services without cost barriers. The key provision mandates that both public medical assistance programs and private insurers include these osteoporosis-related services in standard coverage. This expands existing coverage to explicitly address menopause-related bone health needs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid/private insurers to cover osteoporosis screenings/treatment for postmenopausal women, removing cost barriers and expanding access to preventive care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Primary Care

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 28, 2025

HB 390: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in personal income tax, providing for preceptor tax deduction.

HB 390 creates a $1,000 annual tax deduction for Pennsylvania health care providers who volunteer to supervise clinical training for students. It directly affects licensed physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and nurse anesthetists who provide uncompensated, volunteer-based clinical training (minimum 80 hours annually per student) to eligible students in approved programs. The bill establishes a Preceptor Certification Committee within the Department of Health to verify eligibility, process applications within 30 days, and issue certificates confirming the deduction. To claim the deduction, providers must submit this certificate with their tax return, and the deduction cannot exceed the tax owed. The policy change specifically targets volunteer clinical education support without altering tax rates or creating new tax credits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $1,000 annual tax deduction for healthcare preceptors, providing direct tax relief under Tax Reform Code.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax incentive for healthcare preceptors to supervise students, expanding clinical training access in healthcare education programs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides $1,000 tax deduction for healthcare preceptors to support clinical training, advancing workforce development in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 28, 2025

HB 395: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in emergency medical services system, further providing for emergency medical responders.

HB 395 allows Pennsylvania to grant provisional certification to emergency medical responders (EMRs) who already hold valid national certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). This applies to individuals certified as EMRs, first responders, EMTs, AEMTs, or paramedics. The provisional certification is valid for three years and automatically converts to standard Pennsylvania certification after completing the regular triennial registration process. This change eliminates redundant certification requirements for nationally certified EMTs working in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines certification for emergency medical responders, improving access to emergency healthcare services by reducing barriers for nationally certified professionals.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HR 76: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to establish policies that would provide greater access to blood transfusions for hospice patients with blood cancer.

This Pennsylvania House Resolution (HR 76) urges the U.S. Congress to change Medicare reimbursement policies to cover blood transfusions for hospice patients with blood cancer. It highlights that current Medicare pays hospices a fixed daily rate ($34,465.34 annually per patient), which fails to cover the average $2,388 cost per red blood cell unit transfusion - needed twice weekly by most patients. The resolution states this reimbursement gap prevents access to palliative transfusions (used for comfort, not cancer treatment), leading patients to avoid hospice care. It specifically references a 2023 federal bill proposal that aimed to create a separate payment model for transfusions. The resolution has no legal effect but seeks to prompt federal policy changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUrges Medicare policy change to cover blood transfusion costs for hospice patients, expanding access to necessary palliative care by addressing reimbursement gaps.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 1706: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, providing for student mental health awareness.

HB 1706 requires Pennsylvania schools to integrate student mental health awareness into existing health education standards and school operations. It mandates the State Board of Education to update health standards, the Department of Health and Education to develop public guidelines on mental health warning signs for students and families, and schools to notify students and parents twice yearly about local mental health services. The bill also requires school entities to report student absences or injuries in activities to student assistance programs and directs the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association to add mental health training to coach certification by the 2025-2026 school year. This bill directly affects all public, private, and parochial schools in Pennsylvania, their students, families, and athletic staff.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mental health awareness integration into school health curriculum and services, enhancing student well-being support within education framework.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health awareness integration in schools, updates health standards, and provides resources for students/families, directly supporting mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 21, 2026

SB 998: An Act providing for the Nurse Education Capacity Expansion Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development.

SB 998 would create a grant program to fund expansions of nursing education programs at colleges and universities. It requires the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer grants for institutions aiming to increase nursing program capacity, directly affecting nursing schools and future nursing students. Key provisions include establishing grant criteria, application processes, and reporting requirements for funded programs. The bill is currently pending in the Appropriations committee after committee review.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state grant program funding nursing education expansions, increasing public service spending under budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds expansion of nursing education programs at colleges/universities, directly increasing higher education capacity and access through grant programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nursing education expansions to increase healthcare workforce capacity, directly strengthening healthcare service delivery through grant program for nursing programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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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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