Healthcare (Public Safety)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 1342: 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, further providing for billing.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law to establish a direct billing system for nonnetwork emergency medical services (EMS) agencies. It requires insurers to directly reimburse these agencies for dispatched 911 services at a rate of 350% of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services published rate, rather than billing patients directly. The legislation mandates that insurers pay these agencies within 45 days and prohibits them from forcing EMS agencies to sign contracts to receive this reimbursement. Additionally, the bill creates a public registry to track which EMS agencies are eligible for direct payment and restricts how these agencies can solicit donations related to billing practices.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurers to directly reimburse EMS agencies, preventing patient billing and improving access to emergency services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Tags Public Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2238: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in emergency medical services system, further providing for support of emergency medical services.

HB 2238 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Health to submit an annual financial report by October 1st detailing all expenditures from the Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund, including payments to local EMS agencies, compliance documentation, and corrective actions for noncompliant recipients. If the report is late, administrative funds for the department are withheld, but funding for local EMS providers (like ambulance services and fire departments) remains protected. The Auditor General must verify the report's accuracy, and false certifications carry penalties. The bill aims to increase transparency and accountability in how EMS funds are managed, directly affecting the Department of Health and local emergency medical services providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual financial reporting for EMS fund transparency and protects local EMS provider funding, ensuring continued service support without defunding.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2235: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for Pennsylvania firefighter and emergency medical service provider recruitment and retention tax credit.

HB 2235 creates a nonrefundable Pennsylvania tax credit of up to $6,000 annually for qualified firefighters and emergency medical service (EMS) providers. It directly affects individuals who are active volunteers or employees of career/volunteer fire companies, EMS companies, or rescue services as defined under Pennsylvania law. The credit applies to the year a person becomes qualified plus the next five consecutive tax years (2027-2031), and must be claimed on tax returns with proof of eligibility. The credit expires December 31, 2037, and cannot be carried over, sold, or transferred.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for firefighters/EMS, reducing their tax burden, aligning with tax relief for public service workers.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax credit for EMS providers (healthcare workers) to improve recruitment/retention, directly strengthening healthcare workforce stability.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tags Public Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 17, 2026

HB 911: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in employees, providing for law enforcement officer benefits for surviving family members.

HB 911 provides health benefits for surviving family members of Pennsylvania law enforcement officers who die or become disabled in the line of duty. It guarantees surviving spouses lifetime full health coverage and dependent children full coverage until age 26 (if not covered by another employer plan). Municipalities must assist with claims processing, and benefits end at age 65. The bill applies to all full-time law enforcement officers and their families, including those widowed before the law's effective date. It codifies existing benefit standards under Pennsylvania law without creating new programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands health coverage for law enforcement families by guaranteeing lifetime spouse benefits and dependent coverage until 26, directly advancing healthcare access for a specific population.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides expanded health benefits for law enforcement officers' families, strengthening worker benefit protections under employment standards.95% confidence

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signed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 30, 2025

SB 466: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Commonwealth services, further providing for powers and duties and for curriculum, training and education certification management system; in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for award of grants to fire companies and for award of grants to emergency medical services companies and providing for expiration of authority; and making a repeal.

SB 466 modifies Pennsylvania's fire and emergency medical services (EMS) grant programs and training requirements. It requires semiannual reports on grant recipients (including recipient names, amounts, and purposes) for federal disaster, homeland security, and public health funds, submitted to legislative leaders. The bill updates training standards to allow online/lecture/hands-on formats and integrates records into a certification system, while setting a 45-day application window and 60-day approval timeline for grants to fire and EMS companies. Crucially, it sets an expiration date of December 31, 2029, for the grant authority under these programs. The bill was enacted as Act No. 25 of 2025 on June 30, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill modifies EMS grant programs and requires reporting on public health funds, strengthening emergency medical services infrastructure and accountability within healthcare system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Tags Public Safety

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 21, 2025

HB 1491: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in emergency medical services system, further providing for declaration of policy, for definitions, for emergency medical services system programs and for duties of department; establishing the State EMS Advisory Board; and further providing for emergency medical services patient care reports, for funding, for notification of trauma center closure, for State Advisory Board, for regional emergency medical services councils, for comprehensive plan, for contracts and grants and for scholarships for recruitment, training and retention.

HB 1491 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Health commissioner to continually assess and revise emergency medical services (EMS) agency functions to improve service quality, adapt to community needs, and boost recruitment/retention of EMS providers. It establishes a State EMS Advisory Board to advise on system improvements and updates definitions for key EMS roles and entities. The bill directly affects EMS agencies, providers, and the Department of Health by mandating ongoing system reviews and creating a formal advisory structure. Key provisions include requiring the commissioner to address recruitment challenges and ensure EMS systems meet evolving community demands.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates ongoing EMS system reviews, recruitment/retention boosts, and establishes advisory board to strengthen emergency medical services quality and access.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBoosts EMS provider recruitment/retention through mandated system reviews and advisory board, directly strengthening workforce retention in labor sector.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 523: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions relating to emergency management services, providing for health screenings for firefighters and EMS providers.

SB 523 requires full-time firefighters and EMS providers employed by fire departments or local governments in Pennsylvania to receive comprehensive cancer and cardiovascular screenings every three years. The screenings must cover specific conditions including prostate, lung, skin, and heart health checks, as listed in the bill. Employers must cover all associated costs - including copays, deductibles, and insurance expenses - through existing health benefits or insurance plans. This bill directly affects emergency responders working for public fire departments or municipal services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates employer-covered cancer/cardiovascular screenings for first responders, expanding preventive health access through required coverage of specific conditions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer-covered cancer/cardiovascular screenings for firefighters/EMS, enhancing workplace safety for high-risk occupations95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 582: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for award of grants.

SB 582 streamlines grant applications for Pennsylvania fire and emergency medical services (EMS) companies. It sets a 45-day annual application window, requires the state to act on applications within 60 days (with unaddressed applications deemed approved), and allows one 15-day extension per company every three years for reporting without needing to prove hardship. The bill directly affects local fire and EMS companies seeking state funding under Title 35. This procedural update simplifies administrative processes but does not change grant eligibility, amounts, or funding levels.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines grants for EMS, ensuring timely funding for emergency medical services under healthcare statutes, directly advancing public health infrastructure.95% confidence

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