The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from March 31 – April 4.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

Governor Shapiro

The Shapiro administration has announced it joined a multi-state lawsuit against the Trump administration’s decision to cancel more than $500 million in public health grant funding that supported programs in the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and the Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs. Find a copy of the lawsuit here and additional information in this press release. 

General Assembly

The state Senate convened in Harrisburg this week. The following is an overview of selected health care-related legislative activity.

  • The Senate passed Senate Bill 347, which prohibits the implementation of safe injection sites throughout the commonwealth, by a vote of 38-11. The bill will now be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.
  • The Senate Institutional Sustainability & Innovation Committee held an informational hearing on Tuesday, April 1 examining the commonwealth’s life science sector and Pennsylvania’s innovation economy. A recording of the hearing is and testimony offered to the committee is viewable here.
  • The Senate Health & Human Services Committee held a voting meeting on Tuesday, April 1 and favorably reported, among other bills, Senate Bill 115, which provides skills competency examination opportunities to individuals seeking employment as a direct caregiver in lieu of successfully obtaining a high school diploma or GED equivalency, and Senate Bill 411, which implements a statewide stroke registry.

The Senate has now recessed until Monday, May 5. The state House of Representatives will reconvene Monday, April 7 through Wednesday, April 9. 

Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin to advise providers that DHS is implementing an alternative payment methodology for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics (RHCs) for a supplemental payment at the Medicaid fee schedule rate for a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) device and its insertion, or the removal of a LARC device.

DHS has announced a recent audit uncovered recipient date of death discrepancies and a claims recovery was completed to recoup monies paid in error. DHS also reminded providers that it is their responsibility to resubmit a correctly completed claim if they are due payment for services provided prior to the date of death.  Find the notice here. 

Revenue Collection Update  

The Department of Revenue has announced Pennsylvania collected $6.2 billion in General Fund revenue in March, which was $70.0 million, or 1.1 percent, more than anticipated. Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $33.2 billion, which is $34.3 million, or 0.1 percent, below estimate. 

Board of Pharmacy ission, 

The State Board of Pharmacy has published a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin of the current income levels necessary for participation in the Cancer Drug Repository program. 

Independent Regulatory Review Commission 

The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) has published a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin that it has received the following final form rulemaking which will be considered at its May 15 meeting.

IRRC has also published a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin announcing it has issued comments to the State Board of Nursing regarding its proposed rule on nursing education programs issued January 25, 2025. Find IRRC’s comments here. 

Around the State

  • The Philadelphia Inquirer has published an article about Independence Blue Cross’, the largest health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania, reported financial loss in 2024 due, in part, to Medicare and Medicaid rates. 
  • Governor Shapiro’s decision to join a multi-state lawsuit against the Trump administration’s decision to cancel public health grant funding was reported by the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. 
  • The Pennsylvania Capital-Star also published an article about the potential impact Medicaid cuts at the federal level may have on rural health care access. 
  • Spotlight PA has published an article about the Department of Aging’s decision to revise a policy that previously required the tracking of the cause of death for every adult who died during an active abuse or neglect investigation. 

Stakeholder Meetings

DHS – Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee – April 23

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has cancelled the April 23 Drug Utilization Board meeting and will instead hold an ad hoc P&T Committee meeting. Find registration information and details here. 

PHC4 – Meeting Schedule

The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) has scheduled a Payment Data Advisory Group meeting for April 10 at 1:00 p.m., a Data Systems Committee meeting for April 15 at 10:00 a.m., an Education Committee meeting for April 23 at 10:00 a.m., and a Council meeting for May 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Find additional details and information on how to participate in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.