The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from March 9 – March 13 (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

General Assembly

Appropriations Committee hearings concluded this week examining the Governor’s 26-27 Budget with executive agencies. Below are links to watch the relevant health & human services hearings:

The Senate returns to session from Monday March 16th through Wednesday March 18th. During the week the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee scheduled a voting meeting on Tuesday to consider SB 1211, legislation to include Medicaid Fee for Service coverage for biomarker testing.

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

  • Rep. Justin Fleming released a co-sponsor memo for a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a Behavioral Health Crisis Study.
  • Senators Christine Tartaglione, Judy Ward, and Frank Farry introduced a co-sponsor memo for legislation to ensure coverage of orthotics and prosthetics in both commercial and government insurance programs.
  • Rep. Tarik Khan introduced House Bill 2267 proposing to allow students to carry and self-administer pancreatic medications at school.
  • Rep. Joe Webster introduced House Bill 2268 which would ban facility fees for outpatient services by healthcare providers and creating “site-neutral” payment caps.
  • Senate Bill 1186, introduced by Sen. Lisa Boscola and Sen. Judy Ward, would require the Department of Human Services to shift to a Single PBM model for the Medicaid program.
  • Senators Katie Muth, Nikil Saval, and Lindsey Williams introduced SB 1208 which would require combined reporting for multi-state corporations operating in PA.
  • Senators Devlin Robinson and Chris Gebhard released SB 1211, legislation to include Medicaid Fee for Service coverage for biomarker testing.

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 issued a Remittance Advice Alert for Revisions to the Participating Drug Company list for the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program.

Department of Health

DOH shared public comment opportunities for the 2027 WIC State Plan which include public meetings beginning in May.

State Board of Pharmacy

The State Board of Pharmacy released income limits for participation in the 2026 Cancer Drug Repository Program. 

Stakeholder Meetings

DOH’s Statewide HIV Planning Group will hold a public meeting on Wednesday March 18th from 10am to Noon.

The Independent Regulatory Review 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.

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. 

Federal Update

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