Healthcare (Prescription Drugs)

passed both · Pennsylvania · Senate Nov 12, 2025

SB 731: An Act amending the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law, in pharmaceutical assistance for the elderly, providing for short title of chapter and further providing for determination of eligibility and for the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier ; and making an editorial change.

SB 731 amends the existing Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) program to add a new "Needs Enhancement Tier" for determining eligibility. This tier would allow more elderly residents to qualify for prescription drug assistance based on specific financial or health needs. The bill changes how eligibility is assessed under the program, making it easier for seniors with higher needs to access medication support. The bill recently passed final passage on November 12, 2025, and is now referred to Rules & Executive Nominations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds 'Needs Enhancement Tier' to PACE program, expanding eligibility for elderly prescription drug assistance and improving access to medication support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 24, 2025

HB 923: An Act amending the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law, in pharmaceutical assistance for the elderly, further providing for determination of eligibility.

HB 923 amends the State Lottery Law to redirect lottery revenue toward providing pharmaceutical assistance for elderly residents. It directly affects seniors who qualify for prescription drug aid under state programs by modifying eligibility determination procedures. The key provision updates how income and asset thresholds are calculated to determine who qualifies for this assistance. The bill became law on November 24, 2025, after approval by both legislative chambers and the governor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing lottery revenue to fund pharmaceutical assistance for seniors, increasing public service funding without new taxes. Directly allocates budget resources to essential healthcare program.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects lottery revenue to fund pharmaceutical assistance for elderly, expanding prescription drug access via updated eligibility criteria for state aid programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

signed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 7, 2025

SB 95: An Act amending the act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699), known as the Pharmacy Act, further providing for definitions, for licensing of pharmacists and for unlawful acts; and providing for price disclosure.

SB 95 amends Pennsylvania's Pharmacy Act to create a 180-day provisional license for pharmacists moving from other states, allowing them to practice without demonstrating competency under Pennsylvania's requirements. It also permits emergency medical services providers to distribute naloxone dose packages for opioid overdose reversal under specific conditions, including a Department of Health standing order and voluntary distribution without liability. Additionally, the bill requires pharmacies to disclose prescription drug prices (brand vs. generic), cost-sharing amounts, and health insurance options upon customer request. These changes aim to improve pharmacist mobility, expand naloxone access, and increase price transparency for consumers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates provisional pharmacist licenses to improve access and enables naloxone distribution for opioid overdose reversal, directly advancing public health and patient access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SB 301: An Act amending the act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699), known as the Pharmacy Act, providing for price disclosure.

SB 301 requires Pennsylvania pharmacies to disclose specific pricing information to consumers upon request for prescription medications. This includes the current retail price for brand-name and generic drugs, the consumer's cost-sharing amount under their insurance, and details about subsidized health coverage through Pennsylvania's health insurance exchange. Pharmacies must keep records of this information, post clear notices about the disclosure right, and present details in simple terms. Failure to comply results in a $500 fine per violation. The law applies to all retail pharmacies and directly affects consumers making prescription purchasing decisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires pharmacies to disclose drug pricing and insurance costs, improving patient access to cost information for informed healthcare decisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 22, 2025

HB 1881: An Act amending the act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699), known as the Pharmacy Act, further providing for pharmacy technician and pharmacy technician trainee registration, qualifications and supervision; providing for administration of injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations, for clinical laboratory certificate and for report on pharmacy-administered vaccines; and making a repeal.

HB 1881 updates Pennsylvania's Pharmacy Act to modernize requirements for pharmacy technicians and trainees, including new registration qualifications and supervision rules by licensed pharmacists. It adds specific protocols for pharmacies administering injectable medications, biologicals (like vaccines), and immunizations, while requiring detailed reports on vaccine administration. The bill also establishes new standards for clinical laboratory certificates and repeals outdated sections of the original 1961 law. These changes directly affect pharmacies, pharmacy technicians, trainees, and pharmacists who oversee vaccine and medication administration.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates pharmacy protocols for vaccine administration and reporting, enhancing public health program efficiency and patient access to immunizations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 17, 2025

SB 1055: An Act amending the act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699), known as the Pharmacy Act, further providing for pharmacy technician and pharmacy technician trainee registration, qualifications and supervision; providing for administration of injectable medications, biologicals and immunizations, for clinical laboratory certificate and for report on pharmacy-administered vaccines; and making a repeal.

SB 1055 updates Pennsylvania's Pharmacy Act to modernize requirements for pharmacy technicians and trainees, including registration, qualifications, and supervision standards. It specifically adds provisions allowing pharmacy technicians to administer injectable medications, biologicals, and vaccines under pharmacist supervision, and requires pharmacies to report vaccine administration data. This directly affects pharmacy technicians, pharmacists, and patients receiving vaccines or medications in pharmacy settings. The bill aims to clarify roles and reporting for pharmacy-based vaccine services while maintaining pharmacist oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands pharmacy technicians' scope to administer vaccines/medications under supervision, directly improving patient access to immunizations and healthcare services per the Pharmacy Act amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SB 268: 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 cost-sharing calculation.

SB 268 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to establish rules for calculating health insurance cost-sharing. It requires insurers and pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to include all out-of-pocket payments made by insured individuals (or others on their behalf) when determining cost-sharing amounts like deductibles or copays. The law applies to health insurance policies issued, renewed, or entered into after its effective date, but excludes dental, vision, workers' compensation, and similar coverage types. This change directly affects health insurers, PBMs, and policyholders by standardizing how cost-sharing is calculated under health plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to include all out-of-pocket payments in cost-sharing calculations, reducing patient financial burden and protecting patient rights under health insurance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 29, 2025

HB 305: 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 insulin.

HB 305 requires health insurance policies to cover insulin, directly affecting people with diabetes who rely on this medication. It amends the 1921 Insurance Company Law to mandate that casualty insurance plans include insulin coverage without excessive cost-sharing. The key provision eliminates gaps where insulin might previously have been excluded or subject to high out-of-pocket costs. This policy change applies to all insurers offering casualty coverage under the amended law. The bill is currently pending before the Insurance committee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insulin coverage in insurance policies, eliminating cost barriers for diabetes patients, directly expanding essential medication access under healthcare coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2026

HB 69: An Act amending the act of May 13, 2008 (P.L.139, No.14), known as the Cancer Drug Repository Program Act, further providing for title and short title of act, for definitions, for establishment, for restocking and dispensing of cancer drugs, for storage, distribution and fees and for immunity; providing for annual report, for list of approved participating pharmacies and for limitations; further providing for regulations; and imposing duties on the State Board of Pharmacy.

HB 69 amends Pennsylvania's Cancer Drug Repository Program to allow unused, unopened cancer prescription drugs to be redistributed to indigent patients through approved pharmacies. The bill updates definitions (e.g., clarifying "cancer drug" includes drugs treating cancer or its side effects), requires drugs to be in original sealed packaging with unexpired dates, and mandates the State Board of Pharmacy to maintain a list of approved participating pharmacies. It also adds requirements for annual reporting and establishes procedures for restocking and dispensing drugs while maintaining safety standards. This directly affects indigent cancer patients seeking affordable medication and pharmacies participating in the program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables redistribution of unused cancer drugs to indigent patients, improving access to treatment without cost barriers per program updates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 1224: An Act amending the act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699), known as the Pharmacy Act, further providing for licensing of pharmacists.

HB 1224 removes a citizenship requirement from Pennsylvania's pharmacist licensing rules. The bill amends the 1961 Pharmacy Act to delete the phrase "and is a citizen of the United States" from the eligibility criteria for pharmacists. This change directly affects individuals applying for pharmacist licenses in Pennsylvania who previously needed U.S. citizenship. The key provision modifies Section 3(a)(1) of the Pharmacy Act to allow licensure based solely on age (21+) and other existing requirements, without requiring U.S. citizenship. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves citizenship barrier for pharmacists, increasing access to pharmacy services and aligning with healthcare access goals by expanding qualified workforce eligibility.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves U.S. citizenship requirement for pharmacist licensing, enabling non-citizens (including immigrants) to work in pharmacy profession without citizenship, directly supporting immigrant integration and removing professional barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Prescription Drugs Citizenship & Naturalization

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