Healthcare

signed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 12, 2026

SB 604: An Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Counseling Compact; and providing for the form of the compact.

SB 604 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Counseling Compact, a multi-state agreement allowing licensed professional counselors to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses. This directly affects licensed counselors - especially those serving military families who relocate frequently - and their clients in member states. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, standardized disciplinary processes, and support for telehealth services to improve access to counseling. The compact eliminates the need for counselors to hold multiple state licenses while ensuring accountability under each state’s practice laws where the client is located.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state practice for counselors, improving mental health access via mutual licensure and telehealth support95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 29, 2026

HB 928: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in epinephrine auto-injector entities, further providing for definitions and for epinephrine auto-injectors for authorized entities; and making an editorial change.

HB 928 amends Pennsylvania law to expand access to epinephrine auto-injectors for severe allergic reactions. It adds schools, sports organizations, and other public venues to the list of "authorized entities" allowed to store these devices and train staff. The bill clarifies who can access the injectors during emergencies and specifies training requirements for personnel. This directly affects schools, youth programs, and public facilities serving individuals at risk of anaphylaxis.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to epinephrine auto-injectors in schools/public venues for anaphylaxis emergencies, improving patient access to critical healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 2653: An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for behavioral health care provider access; and imposing penalties.

This bill requires insurance companies in Pennsylvania to contract with behavioral health care providers who meet specific criteria, such as being licensed in good standing and offering services within the state. The law mandates that insurers cannot deny network participation to qualified providers who agree to standard contract terms, ensuring patients have access to a wider range of mental health and substance use disorder specialists. Additionally, the legislation establishes rules for claim handling and prohibits discrimination based on the type of behavioral health service provided. By creating these new requirements, the bill aims to remove barriers that might prevent individuals from finding suitable care within their insurance networks.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurer contracts with qualified behavioral health providers to expand patient access to mental health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 2652: An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for prescription drug cost credits in health insurance; and imposing penalties.

This bill requires health insurance plans in Pennsylvania to credit money that policyholders spend on prescription drugs toward their annual out-of-pocket maximums. The law applies to anyone enrolled in a health benefit plan who pays directly for medications at a pharmacy or through a discount program, regardless of whether the pharmacy has a contract with the insurer. To receive this credit, individuals must submit proof of purchase, and the credit counts toward deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for the year the expense was incurred. The legislation also establishes a process for insurers to submit regulations and outlines penalties for failing to comply with these new requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill reduces prescription drug costs by crediting out-of-pocket spending, improving patient access and financial protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1460: An Act providing for approval from the Department of Health and the Office of Attorney General before certain transactions involving health care entities within this Commonwealth.

HB 1460, the Health System Protection Act, requires health care entities (like hospitals and clinics) and certain investors (such as private equity firms) to obtain pre-approval from Pennsylvania's Department of Health and Attorney General before completing major transactions. This applies to sales of assets worth $10 million or more, ownership changes, or large financial distributions that could affect competition, costs, or access to care. The law prohibits transactions deemed "against the public interest," such as those reducing competition, raising prices, or limiting services in rural or low-income areas. Health care entities must either file a notification with a waiting period or get written approval before proceeding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires pre-approval for healthcare transactions to protect competition, access, and costs per bill's purpose as Health System Protection Act.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 836: An Act protecting an individual's choice to use assisted reproductive technology.

HB 836 prohibits Pennsylvania from interfering with the use of medically appropriate assisted reproductive technology (ART), such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), ensuring individuals can access these services without state restrictions. The bill defines ART to include specific fertility procedures and requires that any new state laws must comply with this protection unless explicitly exempted by the legislature. It takes effect immediately, providing direct safeguards for individuals seeking ART services and healthcare providers offering them.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects access to assisted reproductive technology (ART) services like IVF, ensuring patients can obtain fertility treatments without state restrictions, advancing healthcare access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 17, 2026

HB 2136: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in medical services, providing for diagnoses prior to incarceration.

This bill requires Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections to recognize medical diagnoses made by healthcare providers before an individual is incarcerated. It prohibits the department from removing or ignoring such diagnoses, except when a healthcare provider (who made the diagnosis or has relevant expertise) submits a written recommendation for removal. The department may then choose to remove the diagnosis based on that recommendation. This change directly affects individuals entering state prisons by ensuring their pre-incarceration medical conditions are acknowledged in their records. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires DOC to recognize pre-incarceration medical diagnoses, protecting health rights and supporting rehabilitation in corrections, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires recognition of pre-incarceration medical diagnoses, ensuring continuity of care and protecting patient rights in correctional healthcare settings.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 5, 2026

HB 2254: An Act amending the act of April 17, 2016 (P.L.84, No.16), known as the Medical Marijuana Act, providing for compassionate access to medical marijuana; and imposing a penalty.

HB 2254 adds Chapter 14 to Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act, allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana within specific care facilities (like hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living residences) under strict conditions. Facilities must create written guidelines within 180 days covering safe storage, patient safety, allowed forms of marijuana, and documentation. The bill imposes a $500 daily civil penalty for noncompliance, with penalties deposited into the Medical Marijuana Program Fund. It does not require facilities to provide certifications, administer marijuana, or permit use in emergency departments. This directly affects terminally ill patients seeking access in regulated care settings and facilities operating under the existing medical marijuana program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables terminally ill patients access to medical marijuana in healthcare facilities, expanding treatment options within regulated care settings per bill's compassionate access provisions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 5, 2026

HB 1045: 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, further providing for seizure recognition and related first aid training.

HB 1045 requires Pennsylvania school nurses and other school staff with direct student contact to complete Department of Health-approved training on seizure recognition and first aid starting in the 2025-2026 school year, with training required every two years thereafter. The bill mandates specific content about identifying seizures, using seizure action plans, and providing basic first aid. It also clarifies that school staff providing seizure-related care are protected from civil liability under existing Good Samaritan laws (42 Pa.C.S. §§ 8332 and 8337.1). This bill directly affects all public school staff in Pennsylvania who work with students and aims to improve emergency response for students with seizure disorders.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates seizure training for school staff, enhancing student safety and health protocols within K-12 schools, aligning with educational safety standards.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates seizure recognition training for school staff to improve emergency response, strengthening school health services under public health protocols.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 3, 2026

HR 393: A Resolution designating February 28, 2026, as "HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates February 28, 2026, as "HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It aims to raise public awareness about HIV criminalization - where individuals with HIV face criminal charges for non-transmission behaviors - and highlights how such laws disproportionately impact marginalized groups like people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The resolution emphasizes current public health consensus that people with HIV who have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus through sex, and that HIV treatment is prevention. It is a symbolic statement, not a law, intended to encourage education and dialogue about ending outdated HIV-related criminal penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill targets HIV criminalization, which disproportionately impacts marginalized groups, aligning with criminal justice reform by challenging outdated laws that criminalize non-transmission behaviors.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareResolution addresses HIV criminalization barriers to healthcare access, aligning with public health consensus to protect marginalized groups' health rights.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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