The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from February 16 – February 20 (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

General Assembly

Senate and House Appropriations Committee Hearings relevant to healthcare and human services are underway this upcoming week with key hearings are as follows:

  • Insurance Department: House – Feb. 24th at 10am
  • Department of Health & Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs: House – Feb. 24th at 1pm
  • Department of Human Services: Senate – Feb. 25th at 10am; House – Mar. 4th at 10am
  • Department of Aging: House – Mar. 10th at 1pm
  • Governor’s Budget Office: Senate – Mar. 4th at 1pm; House – Mar. 12th at 10am

The following are healthcare-related bills or cosponsor memos released by legislators this past week:

  • Rep. Frank Burns released a co-sponsor memo for legislation requiring prescriptions for MA recipients to be filled by any pharmacist in good federal & state standing.
  • Rep. Bridget Kosierowski and Rep. Natalie Mihalek issued a co-sponsor memo for legislation allowing the coverage of medically-tailored meals prescribed for Medicaid recipients.
  • A co-sponsor memo circulated by Senators Lynda Schlegel Culver and Nick Pisciottano

would provide for legislation to regulate and license medical imaging and radiation therapy.

  • Sen. Doug Mastriano has issued a co-sponsor memo for legislation to enhance EMS within PA by elevating the EMS Director position in DOH to a Deputy Secretary role, along with additional regulatory flexibilities and educational requirement changes.
  • PBM reforms highlighted in a co-sponsor memo released by Senators Wayne Langerholc, Judy Ward, and Pat Stefano would institute Attorney General reviews to the PBM contracting and adjudication process, allowing PBMs to appear in PA courts for legal cause of action, among other reforms expanding on the PBM reforms of Act 77 of 2024.
  • Rep. Emily Kinkead introduced House Bill 2226 which would ensure that all patient out of pocket costs like co-pays and other assistance are credited towards out-of-pocket cost limits of insurance plans.

Department of Human Services

Check out DHS’ Human Services Helpers, on the Substack platform – a media platform for video, podcasts, etc. – that will cover updates on DHS programs, news from the agency, and how organizations and partners can help their communities.

DHS released 2026 Income Limits for presumptive eligibility of pregnant women in Medicaid.

The Department issued its March 2026 remittance advice as well as remittance advice for date of death recovery.

Independent Regulatory Review Commission

The Commission will review proposed updates to the State Board of Pharmacy’s Final Immunization Regulation Updates at a public meeting on March 19th at 10am. 

Stakeholder Meetings

The Department of Health’s Newborn Screening and Follow Up Technical Advisory Board will meet on March 3rd from 10am to Noon.

DOH’s Medical marijuana Advisory Board released their schedule of board meetings for 2026 with the first upcoming on March 26th from 10:30am to 12:30pm.

The Department of Health’s WIC Advisory Board will hold their meeting rescheduled from January 26th on March 5th from 1pm to 2pm. 

Federal Update

Click here for a review of this week’s federal activities.