Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 11, 2026

HB 2731: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in powers and duties of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, further providing for powers and duties.

Pennsylvania House Bill 2731 directs the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to work with the Department of General Services to procure opioid antagonists through a competitive process. The bill mandates that cost-effectiveness must account for at least 90% of the decision-making weight, while also considering product efficacy, availability, brand type, and shelf life. Additionally, it requires the department to submit an annual report on the procurement strategy and vendor selection to legislative committee leaders starting in 2028.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates procurement of opioid antagonists by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, directly supporting substance use disorder treatment and access to medication.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 19, 2026

SB 1439: An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions relating to health insurance markets oversight, further providing for definitions; and, in State-based exchange, further providing for powers and duties of exchange authority and for reports.

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1439 tightens oversight of the state's health insurance exchange by requiring insurers to provide documentary proof of residency and legal status for every enrollee. The bill mandates that the exchange authority respond to insurer requests to cancel policies within one business day and make a final decision within five business days. Additionally, it requires the creation of an Office of Fraud Prevention within 180 days to investigate complaints, standardize reporting forms, and ensure staff receive annual anti-fraud training. The exchange authority must also submit an annual report to state legislators detailing fraud statistics, financial impacts, and implemented procedures.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill mandates strict residency and legal status verification for health insurance enrollees, creating barriers to access and restricting coverage eligibility.75% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill mandates proof of legal status for insurance enrollment and rapid policy cancellation, restricting access to services for immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 18, 2026

HB 2734: 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 treatments to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Pennsylvania House Bill 2734 requires health insurance companies to cover FDA-approved diagnostic tests and treatments that slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The mandate applies to insurers offering individual or group health policies in the state, with a compliance deadline of January 1, 2028, unless federal law preempts the requirement. The bill explicitly prohibits insurers from using step therapy for these specific treatments, meaning patients cannot be forced to try other medications first before receiving coverage for approved Alzheimer's therapies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for Alzheimer's treatments and bans step therapy, directly expanding patient access to medical services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 24, 2026

HB 2745: An Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact; providing for the form of the compact; and imposing additional powers and duties on the Governor and the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

HB 2745 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact, a multi-state agreement that creates a streamlined process for podiatric physicians to obtain licenses in multiple states. The bill establishes an interstate commission to administer the compact, manage a shared database of licensure and disciplinary records, and coordinate joint investigations among member states. Eligible podiatrists must designate a primary state of license and meet specific criteria, including a clean criminal record and no prior license discipline, to receive expedited multi-state licenses. The legislation also outlines procedures for renewing these licenses, handling disciplinary actions across state lines, and the financial responsibilities of participating states.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFacilitates interstate licensure for podiatrists, expanding patient access to foot and ankle care by removing administrative barriers for medical professionals.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 18, 2026

HB 2733: An Act providing for prenatal care benefits and for prenatal care leave account; conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of Labor and Industry; and imposing penalties.

Pennsylvania House Bill 2733, known as the Banked Use for Maternity Protection Act, requires employers to provide eligible employees with a dedicated account containing 24 hours of paid leave specifically for prenatal medical appointments and related travel. To qualify, an employee must have worked for the same employer in the Commonwealth for at least 30 days, after which the employer must establish this separate account within two days of notification. The bill mandates that this leave be compensated at the employee's regular rate and count toward seniority and benefits, while prohibiting employers from forcing staff to use other types of leave or retaliating against them for utilizing these protections. Employers with 15 or fewer employees may apply for a six-month hardship exemption, and violations of the act are subject to fines of up to $50,000 per instance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates paid leave for prenatal medical appointments, directly expanding access to healthcare services and protecting maternal health.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates paid prenatal leave for employees, directly strengthening worker benefits and employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health Paid Leave

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 10, 2026

SB 1424: An Act amending the act of September 9, 1965 (P.L.497, No.251), known as the Newborn Child Testing Act, further providing for Newborn Child Screening and Follow-up Program.

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1424 amends the state's Newborn Child Testing Act to officially add Gaucher disease to the list of conditions covered by the newborn screening and follow-up program. The bill directs the relevant health department, with approval from a technical advisory board, to include this specific genetic disorder in routine infant testing. This change aims to help healthcare providers identify the condition early so they can determine if treatment or other services are needed to prevent potential intellectual disability, physical disability, or death.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands newborn screening to include Gaucher disease, improving early detection and access to medical services for infants.95% confidence

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signed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 12, 2026

SB 146: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, in emergency COVID-19 response, providing for extension of use of certain funds; in Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program, further providing for Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program; in cigarette sales and licensing, further providing for definitions and providing for allowable mode of operations for licensed cigarette stamping agents; in joint underwriting association, further providing for fund transfers; providing for food processing residuals; in financially distressed municipalities, further providing for financial recovery; in oil and gas wells, further providing for Oil and Gas Lease Fund and providing for deep wells and Utica Shale permits and for well plugging; providing for manufacturing and investment tax credit, for Innovate in PA 2.0 Tax Credit and for design build best value; in human services, further providing for medical assistance payments for institutional care, for resident care and related costs and for LIFE Program and providing for transition to chip-enabled access cards, for Medical Assistance Reentry Program, for Children's Trust Fund and for medical assistance pharmacy services; in additional keystone opportunity expansion zones, providing for additional zone for shipbuilding and for additional zones; providing for residential revitalization keystone opportunity zones and for violent incident clearance and technological investigative methods; in special funds, further providing for funding and for Pennsylvania Convention Center; in additional special funds and restricted accounts, providing for Veterans' Trust Fund Board and further providing for establishment of special fund and account, for use of fund and for distributions from Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Fund; in additional special funds and restricted accounts, further providing for deposits and providing for Professional Licensure Augmentation Account; in general budget implementation, further providing for Executive Offices, for Department of Agriculture, for Department of Corrections, for Department of Labor and Industry and for Department of Transportation, providing for Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and further providing for Commonwealth Financing Authority, for Federal and Commonwealth use of forest land, for Multimodal Transportation Fund, for School Safety and Security Fund, for State Gaming Fund, for State Employees' Retirement System Restricted Account and for Public School Employees' Retirement System Restricted Account; in retirement, providing for 2026 special ad hoc municipal police and firefighter postretirement adjustment, for supplemental annuities for public school employees commencing 2026, for supplemental annuities for State employees commencing 2026 and for payment of supplemental annuity and special ad hoc postretirement adjustment; in electricity load forecast accountability, providing for energy and water reporting and for advanced transmission technologies; in 2025-2026 budget implementation, further providing for Department of Agriculture, for Department of Human Services and for Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency; providing for 2026-2027 budget implementation and for 2026-2027 restrictions on appropriations for funds and accounts; in fiscal supplements to statutory programs, providing for amusement tax clarification, for situs for local sales tax for cities of the first class, for situs for local sales tax for counties of the second class, for net income and for housing; abrogating a regulation; making repeals; providing for suspension of pension actuarial notes; and making editorial changes.

SB 146 establishes a Veterans' Trust Fund Board to manage and oversee the State Veterans' Trust Fund under Pennsylvania law. The bill directly affects veterans' programs by creating a dedicated board to administer funds supporting veteran services, such as housing, healthcare, and employment initiatives. Key provisions include defining the board's structure, responsibilities, and governance for the Trust Fund, updating existing statutes to reflect these changes. The bill does not create new benefits but organizes the management of existing funding streams for veterans' support. (Note: As of the latest action, the bill was "Reported as amended" in committee and has not yet become law.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a Veterans' Trust Fund Board and allocates funds for various state programs, directly advancing fiscal management and funding essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a Veterans' Trust Fund Board to oversee funds for veteran healthcare and other services, directly supporting health access.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes Veterans' Trust Fund Board to manage funds for veteran services including healthcare and employment, directly advancing veteran programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 16, 2026

HB 2707: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in particular rights and immunities, providing for liability for damages from donated menstrual products.

This bill establishes legal protections for individuals and nonprofit organizations that donate menstrual products to those in need. It grants immunity from civil and criminal liability to donors and nonprofits if the products appear fit for use, covering issues like age, packaging, or condition. However, this protection does not apply if the injury or death of the recipient results from gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct by the donor or organization. The legislation defines key terms such as "menstrual product" and "nonprofit organization" to clarify who and what are covered under these rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects donors and nonprofits providing menstrual products, enhancing access to essential health supplies and reducing liability barriers.85% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 11, 2026

HB 2694: An Act amending the act of April 17, 2016 (P.L.84, No.16), known as the Medical Marijuana Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in medical marijuana organizations, providing for additional dispensary permits authorized; and, in administration, providing for available licenses.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act to support small, minority-owned, and veteran-owned businesses within the state's medical marijuana program. It achieves this by creating new definitions for disadvantaged, diverse, and small businesses and granting the Department of Health authority to issue additional dispensary permits specifically to these groups. Furthermore, the legislation requires the department to publish a list of available licenses annually and prioritize accepting applications from these eligible business types for those spots. The changes are designed to increase access for specific business categories without altering the core structure of the existing medical marijuana framework.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to medical marijuana by issuing additional permits to diverse businesses, improving patient access to healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly grants additional dispensary permits to veteran-owned businesses and requires prioritizing their application, directly supporting veteran employment and economic opportunities.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 14, 2026

HB 2701: An Act amending Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in health care, further providing for definitions, for legislative findings and intent, for compliance, for conflicting advance health care directives, for life insurance, for health care instruments optional, for pregnancy and for liability, providing for prohibited conduct and damages, for judicial relief, for implementation, savings provision and transitional provision and for uniformity of application and construction, repealing provisions relating to living wills, providing for health care decisions and advance health care directives, repealing provisions relating to short title of subchapter, providing for advance mental health care directive, further providing for execution, for requirements and options, for when health care power of attorney operative, for appointment of health care agents, for authority of health care agent, for countermand, for amendment, for revocation, for relation of health care agent to court-appointed guardian and other agents, for decisions by health care representative, for duties of attending physician and health care provider, for effect on other State law, for validity and for form, providing for effect of copy and certified physical copy, repealing provisions relating to example and providing for example; repealing provisions relating to mental health care; and making an editorial change.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's laws regarding advance health care directives to replace the outdated living will system with a more flexible framework that combines written instructions with the appointment of a trusted agent. It directly affects individuals who wish to plan for their future medical care, as well as healthcare providers who must follow these new rules. Key provisions include defining new terms like "cohabitant" and "end-stage medical condition," clarifying how to handle conflicting directives, and establishing specific guidelines for when a health care agent can make decisions. The legislation also addresses mental health care planning, outlines the duties of physicians, and sets standards for the validity and form of these legal documents.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens patient rights by modernizing advance care directives and clarifying healthcare agent authority.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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