Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 4, 2025

HR 302: A Resolution ensuring greater access to sickle cell disease treatments and designating the Department of Health to conduct a comprehensive and coordinated data collection effort to better understand and quantify the scope and impact of sickle cell disease on patients, communities and states throughout the United States.

This resolution directs the Department of Health to collect comprehensive data on sickle cell disease across the U.S. to better understand its impact on patients and communities. It aims to improve access to treatments by using this data to inform policy decisions. The bill directly affects patients with sickle cell disease and healthcare systems serving affected communities. (1 sentence summary as it's a procedural resolution)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve access to sickle cell disease treatments through data collection for policy decisions, aligning with healthcare access and patient support indicators.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 22, 2025

HB 281: 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 prostate cancer screening.

HB 281 requires health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover prostate cancer screenings with no out-of-pocket costs for men aged 40+ who are at high risk. High-risk individuals include those with a family history of prostate cancer, genetic factors, or physician-determined medical need. The law mandates annual coverage for screenings like PSA tests and digital rectal exams, eliminating deductibles or copays. It applies to all health insurance policies issued or renewed 180 days after enactment, with full implementation in 60 days. This directly affects insurers, healthcare providers, and Pennsylvania residents meeting the specified risk criteria.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost prostate cancer screenings for high-risk men, eliminating deductibles/copays and expanding preventive care access under insurance coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 1, 2025

HB 1590: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, providing for abrogation of regulatory requirements for payment for clinic services within physical confines of clinic facilities.

HB 1590 removes specific regulatory requirements that clinics must meet to receive payment for services provided within their own facilities under public assistance programs like Medicaid. This change directly affects clinics offering on-site care covered by these programs, simplifying their billing process. The bill amends the Human Services Code to eliminate the need for clinics to comply with certain prior payment rules when services occur inside their physical premises. It focuses solely on modifying reimbursement procedures without altering eligibility or funding levels.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes regulatory barriers for clinics to receive Medicaid payment, simplifying billing and improving access to care under public health programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Primary Care

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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

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 14, 2025

HB 110: 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 individual consent, for mental health treatment and for release of medical records; and providing for parent or legal guardian access to medical records.

HB 110 amends Pennsylvania's 1970 law to allow minors aged 18 or older to consent independently to mental health treatment without parental permission, raising the age from 14. It also clarifies that minors aged 18+ control their mental health treatment records, while parents or legal guardians retain full access to all medical, dental, and health records for minors under 18. The bill includes provisions for minors to revoke consent for treatment and requires court review if a minor objects to continued inpatient care. These changes directly affect minors seeking mental health services and their parents, streamlining consent processes while balancing minor autonomy with parental access.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands mental health access for minors aged 18+ by allowing independent consent and control over records, strengthening patient rights in mental health treatment per healthcare topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 544: An Act providing for the use of certain credentialing applications and for credentialing requirements for health insurers; imposing penalties; and conferring powers and imposing duties on the Insurance Department.

HB 544, the Health Care Practitioner Credentialing Act, requires all health insurers in Pennsylvania to accept the CAQH credentialing application (or a nationally recognized alternative) for health care practitioners seeking to join insurer networks. It sets clear timelines: insurers must notify practitioners within 10 business days if an application is incomplete, and make a final credentialing decision within 45 business days of receiving a complete application. The bill also mandates automatic credentialing for practitioners with multi-location practices and imposes penalties on insurers that fail to use CAQH or delay the process. It does not guarantee network access but standardizes the application and review process for practitioners and insurers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to accept CAQH credentialing with strict timelines, reducing delays for practitioners to join networks and improving patient access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medical Licensing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2026

HB 1925: An Act amending Titles 35 (Health and Safety), 40 (Insurance) and 67 (Public Welfare) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for artificial intelligence in facilities, for artificial intelligence use by insurers and for artificial intelligence use by MA or CHIP managed care plans; imposing duties on the Department of Health, the Insurance Department and the Department of Human Services; and imposing penalties.

HB 1925 regulates how healthcare facilities, insurance companies, and Medicaid/CHIP managed care plans can use artificial intelligence. It requires the Department of Health, Insurance Department, and Department of Human Services to create rules for AI safety and transparency in these sectors. The bill imposes penalties for failing to comply with these new requirements. It directly affects providers and insurers operating in Pennsylvania's health and insurance systems.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates AI safety/transparency in healthcare facilities/insurers, imposing penalties to protect patient rights and system integrity per bill's requirements.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI use in healthcare/insurance with safety/transparency rules, protecting consumers from misuse per bill's requirements and penalties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid Artificial Intelligence

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 1140: An Act providing for access to contraceptives; imposing duties on the Insurance Department and the Department of Human Services; providing for severability; and imposing penalties.

HB 1140 requires health insurers and Medicaid/CHIP managed care plans in Pennsylvania to cover all FDA-approved contraceptives - including prescription drugs, devices, emergency contraception (like levonorgestrel), and oral contraceptives - without any out-of-pocket costs for enrollees. It specifically prohibits prior authorization or step therapy for emergency and oral contraceptives, and mandates coverage for sterilization procedures and related services like counseling. The bill directly affects health insurers, managed care plans, and their enrollees by expanding contraceptive coverage under state insurance regulations. It exempts male condoms from coverage requirements but ensures no cost-sharing for covered contraceptive methods.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptives, removing cost barriers and expanding access to reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 14, 2025

HB 74: An Act amending Title 67 (Public Welfare) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in mental health and intellectual disabilities, providing for autism screening.

HB 74 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services to develop and provide a standardized autism screening tool for use by licensed child care providers with children aged 18, 24, and 36 months. The tool must be distributed annually to providers, accompanied by clear disclaimers that screening is not a medical diagnosis and a list of local diagnosis and service resources. Licensed child care providers are not required to administer the screening but may assist families who request help using it. The bill directly affects licensed child care facilities operating under Pennsylvania's child care regulations. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires standardized autism screening tool for early intervention, connecting families to diagnosis resources. Expands access to mental health services without restricting coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 631: An Act providing for parental consent for virtual mental health services provided by a school entity.

SB 631 requires Pennsylvania schools to obtain annual written consent from parents or guardians before providing virtual mental health services (such as online counseling or AI-based support) to students under 18. It mandates schools to create a clear consent form detailing the services offered, which must be signed each year. The law applies to all school entities, including public, charter, cyber, and private schools, and takes effect July 1, 2025. This policy directly affects students and parents by shifting decision-making authority for virtual mental health services from schools to families.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires parental consent for school mental health services, protecting student welfare and ensuring informed parental involvement in student support programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequiring parental consent for school-based mental health services ensures informed participation and aligns with patient rights protection in healthcare access for minors.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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