Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SB 317: 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 eating disorder treatment.

SB 317 requires most health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover eating disorder treatment, directly affecting people with conditions like anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating disorder. The bill mandates coverage for inpatient care, residential treatment, counseling, and specialized nutrition services provided by licensed professionals, as defined in the law. Insurers cannot deny coverage based solely on weight, prior treatment history, or attempt to steer patients toward less comprehensive care. This applies to individual and group health plans (excluding limited coverage types like dental or accident-only policies) and takes effect within 60 days of enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for eating disorder treatment including inpatient care and counseling, removing weight-based denial barriers, directly expanding mental health coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Sep 9, 2025

SB 461: An Act providing for patient access to diagnostics and treatments for Lyme disease and related tick-borne illnesses; and requiring health care policies to provide certain coverage.

SB 461 requires health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover specific diagnostic tests and treatments for Lyme disease and related tick-borne illnesses. It directly affects all Pennsylvanians with health insurance, particularly those in the state’s high-risk areas (all 67 counties, per the bill’s findings). The key provision mandates insurers cover clinically appropriate diagnostics and antibiotics, including longer-term treatments that some patients require. The bill aims to improve access to care by eliminating coverage barriers, as Pennsylvania has the highest Lyme disease incidence in the U.S. (over 100,000 cases reported in 2018 alone). This is intended to reduce chronic cases and overall disease burden, aligning with the state’s legislative purpose to promote prevention and treatment access.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for Lyme disease diagnostics/treatments, expanding patient access and strengthening coverage requirements under PA law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 10, 2025

HB 425: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, providing for J-1 Visa Waiver Physician Grant Program.

HB 425 updates Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to establish a grant program for physicians participating in the J-1 visa waiver program. It directly affects foreign-trained doctors who complete their J-1 visa requirements and wish to practice in Pennsylvania, particularly in underserved areas. The bill creates a mechanism for the state to provide financial grants to these physicians to support their relocation and practice within the state. This policy change aims to address healthcare workforce shortages by incentivizing qualified physicians to remain in Pennsylvania after completing their visa obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state grant program within Fiscal Code amendment, directly allocating funds for physician recruitment in underserved areas to address healthcare workforce shortages.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes grants for J-1 physicians in underserved areas to address healthcare workforce shortages, directly funding medical professionals to improve access.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationCreates grant program for J-1 physicians to practice in underserved areas, funding immigrant healthcare workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Oct 3, 2025

HB 1212: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions, providing for drug screening and awareness education and for fatherhood engagement in maternal health; and imposing duties on the Joint State Government Commission.

HB 1212 requires Pennsylvania maternal health programs to provide drug screening and awareness education to patients. It also mandates the inclusion of fatherhood engagement strategies in prenatal care discussions, directly affecting pregnant individuals and their partners receiving maternal health services. The bill imposes specific duties on the Joint State Government Commission to develop and oversee these program requirements. These provisions aim to integrate substance use prevention and family involvement into standard maternal health care protocols.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates drug screening, awareness education, and fatherhood engagement in maternal health programs, expanding preventive care services within state health statutes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 10, 2025

HB 47: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for exclusions from tax.

HB 47 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to exclude at-home medical tests from sales tax. The bill specifically adds a new tax exclusion (Section 204(77)) covering tests done at home for diagnosing, treating, or monitoring diseases - such as pregnancy tests or test kits. This directly affects consumers purchasing these medical products, making them tax-free. The provision takes effect 60 days after enactment, removing sales tax liability for qualifying at-home medical tests.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes at-home medical tests from sales tax, providing direct tax relief for consumers purchasing essential health products.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExcludes at-home medical tests from sales tax, reducing costs for consumers and improving access to essential healthcare products like pregnancy and glucose monitors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 762: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for definitions and for exclusions from tax.

HB 762 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to exempt volunteer emergency service organizations from paying state sales and use tax on protective equipment. The bill specifically covers volunteer EMS companies, fire companies, and rescue companies - defined as nonprofit groups providing emergency medical, fire, or rescue services. It excludes purchases like helmets, turnout gear, boots, gloves, and respiratory protection units from taxation when bought for members performing their duties. This tax exemption will apply to sales occurring on or after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts volunteer emergency services from sales tax on protective gear, providing tax relief for public safety organizations.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts tax on EMS protective gear, reducing costs for emergency medical service providers and supporting healthcare delivery infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 10, 2025

HB 28: An Act amending the act of April 17, 2016 (P.L.84, No.16), known as the Medical Marijuana Act, in practitioners, further providing for practitioner registration.

HB 28 amends Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act to give the Department of Health new authority over medical marijuana practitioners. It directly affects doctors and healthcare providers who certify patients for medical marijuana use. The bill adds specific conditions the department can impose, including probation periods, limits on how many patient certifications a practitioner can issue, mandatory supervision by another provider, and reporting requirements to ensure patient safety. These changes aim to strengthen oversight of practitioners without altering patient eligibility or program structure. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds oversight measures (probation, certification limits, supervision) for medical marijuana practitioners to ensure patient safety, strengthening healthcare regulation and protection.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 832: An Act providing for hospital closure procedure requirements, for notice of proposed general hospital closure or significant impact closure, for health equity impact assessments, for closure plans and for enforcement actions.

HB 832 requires hospitals planning to close all or most units (general hospital closure) or critical departments like emergency or maternity units (significant impact closure) to follow specific steps. Hospitals must submit a detailed closure plan for approval by the Department of Health or local health authorities at least 180 days before closing, include a health equity impact assessment, and hold two public hearings in the affected community. The bill mandates public notice, comment periods via phone and website, and ensures hospitals address community health needs before proceeding. This directly affects hospitals seeking to close operations and the communities relying on their services, aiming to prevent abrupt healthcare disruptions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires health equity assessments and public hearings for hospital closures to prevent access loss, strengthening patient access protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 536: An Act amending the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985, further providing for definitions and for genetic counselor.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Medical Practice Act to clarify the role of genetic counselors. It adds a definition for "genetic test" (covering DNA/RNA analysis, biochemical tests, and chromosome studies) and specifies that genetic counselors may order these tests, coordinate care, and document medical information for clients' records. Crucially, the bill explicitly states genetic counselors cannot diagnose, test for, manage, or treat genetic conditions. The changes directly affect licensed genetic counselors practicing in Pennsylvania, defining their scope within the state's medical licensing framework. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies genetic counselors' scope to order tests and coordinate care (improving patient access), while explicitly limiting their role to avoid overstepping clinical diagnosis (strengthening defined healthcare service boundaries).85% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 2, 2025

HB 1376: 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 school-based health centers.

HB 1376 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish standards for school-based health centers in public, private, and parochial schools. It requires these centers to provide accessible care without denying services based on payment ability, insurance status, or health conditions, while coordinating with students' existing primary care providers. Centers must offer a full range of services with proper parental consent, minimize barriers to care, and maintain confidentiality per federal law. The bill also creates a statewide advisory council and a department liaison to oversee implementation and ensure centers align with student needs like age, demographics, and community resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates accessible school health centers without financial/insurance barriers, directly enhancing educational access and student well-being per Public School Code amendment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates non-discriminatory school-based health centers with full services, no denial based on payment/insurance, and confidentiality, expanding healthcare access for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Children's Health Primary Care

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