Healthcare (Children's Health)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 8, 2026

SR 336: A Resolution designating June 15, 2026, as "Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution designates June 15, 2026, as Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day in Pennsylvania to highlight the severity of the disease among children. The measure calls on residents to observe the day by raising awareness, supporting affected families, and advocating for increased research funding. It does not create new laws or change government operations but serves as a symbolic gesture to draw attention to the condition.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill advocates for increased research funding and awareness for pediatric brain cancer, aligning with supporting healthcare initiatives.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 15, 2026

HR 494: A Resolution designating June 15, 2026, as "Elora Joyce Khan Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania to promote education, compassion, advocacy and research related to pediatric brain cancer.

This bill designates June 15, 2026, as 'Elora Joyce Khan Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day' in Pennsylvania to honor a young resident and raise public attention to pediatric brain cancer. The resolution aims to promote education, compassion, and research into the disease while recognizing the Elora J. Khan Foundation's work supporting affected families. It does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the importance of awareness and advocacy for children battling brain tumors.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes pediatric brain cancer awareness, education, and research, aligning with healthcare advocacy goals.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 1211: 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 coverage for biomarker testing.

SB 1211 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law of 1921 to require casualty insurance policies to cover biomarker testing for medical assistance and Children's Health Insurance Program enrollees. The bill defines medical assistance and CHIP managed care plans as health care plans that use gatekeepers to manage services, explicitly including biomarker testing in this definition. This change ensures that insurance coverage for these specific health services is standardized under state law, subject to necessary federal approval. The legislation takes effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands insurance coverage by requiring casualty policies to cover biomarker testing for medical assistance and CHIP enrollees, improving patient access to health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance Medicaid

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 25, 2026

HR 450: A Resolution recognizing March 31, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Pennsylvania House Resolution designates March 31, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" to honor the contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the state. The resolution highlights the importance of midwifery in addressing maternal health disparities, particularly in Black communities where pregnancy-related mortality rates are significantly higher than national averages. It acknowledges the role of midwives in providing culturally sensitive care and reducing barriers to access in areas with limited maternity health resources. The measure serves as a symbolic recognition rather than establishing new laws or funding requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill honors Black midwives' contributions to maternal health and addresses disparities, promoting culturally sensitive care and improving access to healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Women's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 1113: An Act amending Titles 35 (Health and Safety) and 40 (Insurance) 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.

SB 1113 requires health care facilities, insurers, and Medicaid Advantage/CHIP managed care plans in Pennsylvania to disclose when artificial intelligence (AI) is used for clinical decision making or patient communications. Facilities must provide clear disclosures in writing, on their public website, and include disclaimers for AI-generated communications with instructions to contact a human provider. The bill exempts routine administrative tasks (like scheduling or billing) and communications reviewed by a human from these disclosure rules. It imposes duties on the Departments of Health, Insurance, and Human Services to enforce compliance and sets penalties for violations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates AI disclosure in clinical decisions/communications to protect patient rights and transparency, aligning with healthcare protection indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI disclosure in healthcare for transparency, aligning with data privacy protections and consumer safeguards in clinical decisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid Artificial Intelligence

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 12, 2025

HB 749: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public welfare laws of the Commonwealth," in public assistance, further providing for uniformity in administration of assistance and regulations as to assistance and for copayments for subsidized child care, providing for report on transition to chip-enabled access cards, further providing for reports to General Assembly, for persons eligible for medical assistance and for nonemergency medical transportation services and providing for abrogation of regulatory requirements for payment for outpatient behavioral health services within physical confines of behavioral health clinic facilities and for SNAP benefit reporting; and making a repeal.

HB 749 updates Pennsylvania's public welfare laws to streamline assistance programs and improve service access. It requires copayments for subsidized child care, changes reporting for SNAP benefits, and mandates reports on transitioning to chip-enabled access cards for benefits. The bill removes regulatory barriers for outpatient behavioral health services provided within clinic facilities, allowing services to be billed as part of the clinic visit. It also requires additional reports to the General Assembly regarding medical assistance eligibility and nonemergency medical transportation services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves regulatory barriers for outpatient behavioral health services within clinics, enabling streamlined billing and access to mental health care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid Primary Care

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 21, 2025

HB 695: An Act providing for vaccination schedule for pediatric patients and for coverage, compensation and reimbursement for vaccinations; and imposing penalties.

HB 695 requires health insurance plans to cover vaccinations administered on schedules chosen by parents or guardians that differ from CDC recommendations, provided at least one vaccine is given annually. It prohibits insurers from offering financial incentives to providers based on per-member vaccination rates. Health care practitioners must continue providing pediatric care for patients on non-CDC schedules and cannot bill for discussions about alternative schedules. Violations by practitioners could result in disciplinary action from their licensing board.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for non-CDC vaccination schedules, expands patient choice, prohibits financial incentives limiting provider options, and protects access to pediatric care on alternative schedules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance Medical Licensing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 14, 2025

HB 1803: An Act establishing the Advisory Council on PANDAS and PANS; and providing for the duties of the Advisory Council on PANDAS and PANS.

HB 1803 establishes an Advisory Council focused on PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) and PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome), conditions affecting children's health. The bill defines the council's responsibilities, including providing guidance to state health officials on these conditions. This council will be created within the state government, with members appointed to address medical, research, and support needs. The bill does not amend existing laws but creates a new advisory structure to improve care for children impacted by PANDAS and PANS.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Advisory Council to guide state health officials on pediatric neuropsychiatric conditions (PANDAS/PANS), strengthening healthcare policy framework for affected children.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 51: An Act providing for individual and group health care insurance coverage protections and for core health benefits; imposing penalties; and providing for applicability and for regulations.

SB 51, the Health Insurance Core Benefits Coverage Act, requires Pennsylvania health insurance companies to cover specific core health benefits in both individual and group plans. It mandates coverage for 10 essential categories, including emergency services, mental health care, prescription drugs, hospitalization, preventive care, and pediatric services (like dental/vision for children). The law ensures plans are at least as comprehensive as those offered in 2018, with the Insurance Department allowed to adjust requirements through regulations. This directly affects insurers and policyholders by standardizing minimum coverage across the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 10 essential health benefits including mental health care, preventive services, and pediatric coverage; requires plans to be at least as comprehensive as 2018 standards with penalties for non-compliance.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates comprehensive health benefits coverage in employer group plans, expanding worker benefits and protections under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance Primary Care

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 2, 2025

HB 1376: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, providing for school-based health centers.

HB 1376 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish standards for school-based health centers in public, private, and parochial schools. It requires these centers to provide accessible care without denying services based on payment ability, insurance status, or health conditions, while coordinating with students' existing primary care providers. Centers must offer a full range of services with proper parental consent, minimize barriers to care, and maintain confidentiality per federal law. The bill also creates a statewide advisory council and a department liaison to oversee implementation and ensure centers align with student needs like age, demographics, and community resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates accessible school health centers without financial/insurance barriers, directly enhancing educational access and student well-being per Public School Code amendment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates non-discriminatory school-based health centers with full services, no denial based on payment/insurance, and confidentiality, expanding healthcare access for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Children's Health Primary Care

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