SB 1289 Pennsylvania Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act providing for patient access to clear health care information; and requiring plain-language summaries of coverage, prior authorization and appeal rights.

This bill, known as the Patient Right-to-Understand Act, requires health care entities in Pennsylvania to provide patients with clear, plain-language summaries of their insurance coverage, prior authorization rules, and appeal rights. These summaries must be written at a sixth-grade reading level, limited to two pages, and include details on costs, network restrictions, and payment options like cash pricing or health savings accounts. The law also mandates that providers clearly distinguish between what insurance covers and medical decisions made solely between a patient and their doctor. As an enforcement measure, health care entities that fail to comply with these disclosure requirements are prohibited from collecting debts from patients who dispute the care they received.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Apr 17, 2026 Last action Apr 17, 2026
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Total actions
1
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0
Committee
1
Apr 17, 2026
Committee
Referred to Health & Human Services
upper
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

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