Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 14, 2025

HB 1802: 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 of COVID-19 vaccines.

HB 1802 requires all health insurance policies issued in Pennsylvania to cover FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines with no cost-sharing for enrollees. This applies to insurers offering policies covering medical care (excluding accident-only, dental, or Medicare supplement plans), and mandates that government programs like Medicaid must also provide this coverage without deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. The bill defines "cost-sharing" to exclude premiums but includes standard out-of-pocket expenses, ensuring vaccines remain fully covered. It takes immediate effect and prevents insurers from reducing or eliminating this coverage for existing policies. This directly affects Pennsylvania residents with health insurance and the insurers providing those plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires no cost-sharing for FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines in insurance policies, expanding access to essential healthcare services without deductibles or copays.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 29, 2025

SB 197: An Act amending the act of October 10, 1975 (P.L.383, No.110), known as the Physical Therapy Practice Act, further providing for definitions, for powers and duties of board, for continuing education and for practice of physical therapy.

SB 197 amends Pennsylvania's Physical Therapy Practice Act to create a "certificate of authorization" allowing licensed physical therapists to practice without a doctor's referral. To qualify, therapists must pass an exam on evaluative procedures, have two years of continuous practice, and maintain $1 million in professional liability insurance. This applies only to therapists meeting these specific requirements, not all physical therapists. The bill also updates continuing education rules, requiring 30 hours every two years (excluding office management courses) for license renewal.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves referral requirement for qualified physical therapists, improving direct patient access to care without restricting coverage.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 22, 2025

HB 216: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in fraud and abuse control, further providing for definitions and for provider prohibited acts, criminal penalties and civil remedies.

HB 216 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to strengthen fraud and abuse controls in the medical assistance program (Medicaid). It adds a definition of "Representation" to clarify communications used for billing or determining reimbursement rates, and updates prohibited acts to explicitly include making false or misleading statements in claims or records. The bill expands specific prohibitions to cover submitting claims for medically unnecessary services, misrepresenting services provided, or billing for non-rendered care. These changes directly affect healthcare providers and practitioners who bill the state's Medicaid program by providing clearer standards for compliance. The amendments aim to improve enforcement of existing penalties without creating new ones.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens Medicaid fraud controls by clarifying billing definitions and expanding prohibitions against false claims, protecting healthcare program integrity and funding.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 7, 2025

SB 1038: An Act providing for parental presence during medical and dental examinations of minors; protecting the rights of parents; and imposing duties on health care providers and health care facilities.

SB 1038 requires healthcare providers and facilities to allow parents or legal guardians to be present during medical and dental examinations of minors. It directly affects parents of children under 18 and healthcare entities providing care to minors. The bill mandates that providers accommodate parental presence unless a minor specifically requests otherwise or a medical reason prevents it. It also imposes a duty on healthcare facilities to establish clear policies supporting this requirement.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates parental presence during minors' medical exams, protecting patient rights and improving access to care through provider accommodation requirements.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 322: 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.

SB 322 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Health and Attorney General to approve certain healthcare transactions exceeding $5 million that may harm public interest. It applies to sales, ownership changes, or large capital distributions involving hospitals, clinics, or healthcare providers. The law defines "against public interest" as actions reducing competition, raising costs, limiting access (especially in rural or low-income communities), or lowering care quality. Approval must be secured before such transactions proceed.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires state approval for large healthcare transactions to prevent reduced competition, higher costs, limited access, and lower quality, protecting public health interests.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 878: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in driving after imbibing alcohol or utilizing drugs, further providing for definitions, for driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance and for authorized use not a defense.

HB 878 amends Pennsylvania's DUI laws to clarify that using medical marijuana legally under the Medical Marijuana Act is not a defense for driving under the influence, except for commercial drivers. It directly affects medical marijuana patients who drive non-commercial vehicles by allowing their legal medical use to be raised as a defense in DUI cases. The bill adds "medical marijuana" to statutory definitions and modifies Section 3802(h) to explicitly state this use is a defense, while Section 3810 confirms authorized medical use isn't a defense unless specified in the new exception. This change does not alter DUI laws for alcohol or other controlled substances, only clarifies the medical marijuana exception. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly allows medical marijuana use as a DUI defense for non-commercial drivers, protecting patients' rights to legally use medical treatment without penalty.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 610: 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 enrolled dependents right to confidentiality for health care services received.

SB 610 requires health insurers in Pennsylvania to protect the confidentiality of health care information for "protected enrolled dependents" (individuals covered under another person's insurance policy). It mandates insurers to provide a standardized form allowing dependents to request confidential communication methods - such as paper mail to a different address, electronic delivery to a new email, or withholding communications - covering specific items like explanations of benefits, appointment details, and claim denials. The bill also requires insurers to implement these requests within three business days and educates providers about dependents' rights. This law directly affects millions of people covered under family health insurance plans who seek privacy for their medical care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient confidentiality rights for dependents under health insurance, ensuring privacy of health care services per bill's mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 617: A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, providing for right to medical freedom.

HB 617 proposes a constitutional amendment to guarantee every Pennsylvanian the right to refuse any medical treatment, including vaccines, without government interference. The amendment would prohibit denying legal rights to individuals based on their refusal of such treatments. It requires the state legislature to pass the resolution twice before submitting it to voters for approval, following Pennsylvania's constitutional amendment process. If approved by voters, this amendment would become part of the state constitution, altering how medical consent is legally protected.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly protects patient rights to refuse medical treatment (including vaccines) without government interference, aligning with 'protects patient rights' indicator.95% confidence

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 5, 2026

HR 203: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study of reported patient safety events and issue a report with recommendations for reducing reportable patient safety events and improving patient safety.

HR 203 is a House Resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study medication errors and patient safety. The Commission must form an advisory committee including health officials and stakeholder representatives (like pharmacists, nurses, and hospital associations) to examine how errors occur in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and pharmacies. The study will review current state laws, other states' policies, and best practices, with a report containing recommendations due to the House within 18 months. This resolution does not change laws but aims to inform future policy through a comprehensive review.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects study to reduce medication errors and improve patient safety, advancing healthcare quality standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Long-Term Care

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 29, 2025

SB 190: An Act providing for pharmaceutical transparency; establishing the Pharmaceutical Transparency Review Board and providing for its powers and duties; establishing the Pharmaceutical Transparency Review Fund; and imposing a penalty.

SB 190 establishes Pennsylvania's Pharmaceutical Transparency Review Board to address high-cost prescription drug affordability. The Board, composed of appointed experts with strict conflict-of-interest rules, reviews prescription drugs and develops recommendations for residents, government agencies, health plans, and other stakeholders. It requires pharmaceutical manufacturers (those setting drug prices) to provide pricing data and mandates public meetings and transparency in the review process. The bill also creates a dedicated fund to support the Board's operations and sets penalties for noncompliance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes transparency board to address high drug costs, improving patient access to affordable medications through pricing data mandates and public review.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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