Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2025

HB 1660: An Act amending the act of May 1, 1984 (P.L.206, No.43), known as the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act, further providing for definitions; and providing for prohibition of water fluoridation.

HB 1660 would amend Pennsylvania's Safe Drinking Water Act to ban the addition of fluoride to public drinking water systems. This bill directly affects all public water suppliers across the state, requiring them to cease fluoridation practices in their water treatment processes. The key provision establishes a statewide prohibition on water fluoridation, overriding current local policies that allow it. The bill is currently referred to the Local Government committee for further consideration.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBans water fluoridation, a public health measure to prevent dental disease, restricting a preventive healthcare program under public health initiatives.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 21, 2025

HB 686: An Act amending the act of February 13, 1970 (P.L.19, No.10), entitled "An act enabling certain minors to consent to medical, dental and health services, declaring consent unnecessary under certain circumstances," further providing for release of medical records; and providing for parent or legal guardian access to medical records.

HB 686 amends Pennsylvania's 1970 law to give parents or legal guardians full access to their minor child's medical, dental, and mental health records until the child turns 18, subject to federal law. This new provision (Section 1.3) overrides a prior rule allowing minors to control their mental health records, directly affecting minors under 18 and their parents/guardians. The bill changes how healthcare providers handle record access requests, requiring disclosure to parents unless federal law prohibits it. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is signed.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts minors' control over mental health records by mandating parent/guardian access, overriding prior autonomy provisions under Pennsylvania law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 17, 2025

HB 931: An Act requiring identification of lawful presence in the United States as a prerequisite to the receipt of public benefits.

HB 931 would require applicants for most public benefits in Pennsylvania to provide proof of lawful presence in the United States, such as housing assistance, health programs, and non-excluded food aid. Applicants must submit identification and documentation confirming legal status when applying, but excludes specific programs like SNAP (food stamps) and refugee services as defined by federal law. The requirement does not apply to refugees, permanent residents, or nonimmigrants under certain visa categories. This bill affects individuals seeking state and local public benefits not covered by the exclusions.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRequires lawful presence for health programs (excluded: SNAP/refugee services), restricting access for undocumented immigrants and limiting healthcare coverage.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRequires proof of lawful presence for housing assistance (a public benefit), restricting access to affordable housing for non-citizens and limiting housing aid eligibility.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRequires proof of lawful presence for most public benefits, restricting access for undocumented immigrants while excluding SNAP and refugee services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Refugees & Asylum

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 14, 2025

HB 1801: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in abortion, further providing for medical consultation and judgment and for informed consent.

HB 1801 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to update requirements for medical consultation and informed consent in abortion procedures. It directly affects healthcare providers performing abortions and patients seeking the procedure by mandating specific medical information be discussed during the consent process. The key provision requires providers to offer detailed, non-coercive information about the medical aspects of abortion, including risks, alternatives, and available resources, to ensure patients make informed decisions. This bill modifies existing informed consent standards under Title 18 of Pennsylvania law, focusing on clarifying provider obligations. The bill was referred to the Health committee on August 14, 2025, and remains pending further action.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareMandates specific abortion counseling requirements that could restrict patient access to abortion services, a healthcare procedure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 9, 2025

SB 843: An Act prohibiting minor medical procedures that cause permanent and irreparable damage due to certain sex transitioning procedures; prescribing penalties; and establishing a private right of action.

SB 843, the "Do No Harm Act," prohibits healthcare providers in Pennsylvania from performing or prescribing certain medical procedures (including puberty blockers and hormones) on minors under 18 for the purpose of enabling them to live as a gender inconsistent with their sex assigned at birth. It specifically exempts procedures for congenital defects, medical emergencies, or ongoing treatments started before the law's effective date. The bill also bans insurers and government health programs from covering these procedures, imposes professional discipline and felony penalties for violations, and allows minors or their guardians to sue for damages within two years of reaching adulthood. It directly affects minors, healthcare providers, insurers, and government health programs.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareProhibits gender-transition medical procedures for minors, restricting access to gender-affirming healthcare services.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 16, 2025

HB 1740: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in abortion, further providing for legislative intent, providing for fetal heartbeat examination and further providing for medical consultation and judgment and for abortion on unborn child of 24 or more weeks gestational age; and making an editorial change.

HB 1740 would prohibit abortions for pregnancies at 24 or more weeks gestational age in Pennsylvania, directly affecting medical providers performing such procedures. The bill requires medical providers to examine for a fetal heartbeat before proceeding with an abortion and mandates that medical judgment be based on that examination. It also specifies that medical consultation must address the fetal heartbeat and the patient's condition. The bill is currently referred to the Judiciary committee, with no further action taken as of July 16, 2025.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts abortion access after 24 weeks, requiring fetal heartbeat checks and limiting medical procedures - directly limiting patient healthcare access95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 1642: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in bases of jurisdiction and interstate and international procedure, further providing for assistance to tribunals and litigants outside this Commonwealth with respect to service and for issuance of subpoena; in commencement of proceedings, further providing for authority of officers of another state to arrest in this Commonwealth; and, in detainers and extradition, further providing for definitions, for duty of Governor with respect to fugitives from justice and for presigned waiver of extradition.

HB 1642 amends Pennsylvania's judicial statutes to prohibit state courts, law enforcement, and officials from assisting with legal actions involving "reproductive health care services" that are lawful in Pennsylvania. Specifically, it blocks Pennsylvania courts from ordering service of documents or issuing subpoenas for cases outside the state related to such services (including abortion care), prevents officers from arresting individuals for out-of-state offenses involving these services, and requires governors to withhold extradition for such cases. The bill defines "reproductive health care services" broadly to cover medical, surgical, or counseling services related to pregnancy, contraception, or abortion that are legal in Pennsylvania. These changes apply only to cases involving services permitted under Pennsylvania law, not to all out-of-state legal matters. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBlocks state courts from assisting with reproductive health care legal actions, restricting access to abortion services as defined in the bill's summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SB 421: An Act amending the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985, providing for disclosure of complaints filed against physicians.

SB 421 amends Pennsylvania's Medical Practice Act to limit when physicians must disclose complaints filed against them. It requires the State Board of Medicine to close complaint files without disciplinary action before physicians are not required to share those complaints with patients or others. The bill applies directly to physicians (who gain privacy for closed, non-disciplinary complaints) and patients (who may not learn about such complaints). The policy change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareLimits patient access to physician complaint information by restricting disclosure requirements, reducing transparency in medical practice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 23, 2025

SB 946: An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for schedules of controlled substances and providing for tianeptine-related adverse health events.

SB 946 adds tianeptine - a medication sometimes used for depression but with abuse risks - to Pennsylvania's Schedule II of controlled substances, placing it in a high-risk category due to its potential for abuse and dependence. The bill requires the Pennsylvania Department of Health to monitor tianeptine-related health issues (like overdoses, seizures, or withdrawal symptoms) by collecting data from hospitals, poison control centers, and law enforcement. It also empowers the department to issue public safety advisories and establish reporting rules for healthcare providers. This directly affects tianeptine users, healthcare facilities, and public health officials, focusing on tracking health impacts rather than restricting access immediately. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts access to tianeptine (depression medication) by scheduling it as high-risk controlled substance, limiting patient access to a mental health treatment option.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 9, 2025

HB 1844: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in abortion, further providing for definitions and for medical consultation and judgment.

HB 1844 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code (Title 18) to clarify definitions related to abortion and establish requirements for medical consultation and judgment in abortion cases. The bill directly affects healthcare providers who perform abortions by setting legal standards for patient consultations and medical decision-making. Key provisions include adding specific definitions to reduce ambiguity in abortion-related criminal cases and mandating that medical decisions be based on professional judgment and patient consultation. The bill was referred to the Health committee on September 9, 2025, for further review.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareMandates medical consultation requirements for abortion providers, restricting access to abortion services under healthcare policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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