The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from September 28 – October 2 (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents).
General Assembly
The House and Senate returned to session this week from Monday through Wednesday and advanced the following healthcare-related legislation:
- Monday September 28
- The House Children & Youth unanimously voted favorably on HR 582, recognizing Childhood Cancer Awareness; HR 602, recognizing Infant Safe Sleep Month; and HR 609, recognizing Prematurity Awareness Month and Day.
- The House Communications & Technology Committee held a hearing on HB 2637, a moratorium on AI Chatbots in children’s toys.
- The House Human Services Committee met and unanimously voted favorably on HB 1345, with amendment, legislation requiring Medicaid Coverage of menopause treatments; HR 612, recognizing National Recovery Month; HR 613, recognizing Medium-Chain Acyl-Coenzyme A Dehydrogenase (MCAD) Deficiency; HR 615, recognizing White Cane Safety Day; and SB 115, Creating a competency exam pathway for direct care workers without a high school diploma or GED.
- The House voted favorably on the following healthcare-related bills:
- Tuesday September 29
- The Senate Law & Justice Committee met and voted on SB 1035, providing access to medical cannabis in healthcare facilities (11-0).
- The House Health Committee met and advanced HB 1411, legislation enhancing menopause education for medical practitioners (24-2); HB 2657, regulating Kratom in PA (26-0); HB 2702, removing the sunset provision for the PA Health Care Cost Containment Council (24-2); HR 591, recognizing Community Health Workers; HR 597, recognizing Alopecia Awareness Month (26-0); HR 604, recognizing Suicide Prevention Month and Day (26-0); HR 605, recognizing Chiari Malformation Awareness Month (26-0); HR 616, recognizing Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (26-0); and HR 625, recognizing World Cerebral Palsy Day (26-0).
- The House Consumer Protection, Technology, & Utilities Committee met to re-refer HB 2648, legislation prohibiting the changing of health insurance coverage terms within a contract year, to the House Insurance Committee.
- The House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee met and voted on HB 1244, coverage and education for Pelvic Floor treatments (22-4); HB 1346, providing for insurance coverage for menopause treatments (24-2); HB 1827, measures to prevent hip fractures (23-3); HB 2545, insurance coverage for vaginal estrogen and UTI prevention (23-3); HR 623, recognizing Ageism Awareness Day (26-0), and HR 628, recognizing September as LIFE Awareness Month (26-0).
- The House voted favorably on the following healthcare-related resolution:
- HR 287, which directs the Joint State Government Committee to study Perimenopause and Menopause policies, by a margin of 159-44.
- Wednesday September 30
- The House Professional Licensure Committee met to vote on HB 2774, an omnibus licensure compact authorization (17-9); HR 631, recognizing Respiratory Care Week, unanimously; SB 114, streamlining the Nurse Aide training and education requirements unanimously; and SB 1133, updating members of the State Board of Pharmacy, unanimously.
- The Senate Aging & Youth Committee met and unanimously voted out SB 807, legislation to create a statewide elder abuse registry.
- The Senate Institutional Sustainability met to unanimously vote out SB 1403, which expands facilities eligible for EMS transport for patients in mental and behavioral health crisis.
- The House voted favorably on the following healthcare-related bills:
- HB 2653, which would require insurance networks to include any willing behavioral health providers, by a margin of 120-83.
- HB 1925, which would regulate the use of AI in healthcare, by a margin of 144-59.
- HR 628, recognizing September as Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) Awareness Month, by a margin of 202-1.
- HR 612 unanimously acknowledging September as National Recovery Month.
- HR 604, recognizing National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Day, by a margin of 202-1
- HR 575, acknowledging Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, 201-2.
- HR 546, recognizing Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week, by a margin of 202-1.
- The Senate voted favorably on the following healthcare-related bills:
- HB 1442, which would require all autopsies performed by coroners & medical examiners to examine whether a death resulted from seizure or epilepsy, by a margin of 49-1.
- SB 1376, which would codify training, communication and reporting requirements in older adult protective services, by a margin of 33-16.
- SB 738, which adds provisions and protections to the Older Adult Protective Services Act related to older adult financial exploitation, by a vote of 47-2.
Next week, we expect the following healthcare-related bills to be considered:
- Monday
- The House Communications & Technology Committee will meet to consider HB 806, requiring disclosure of AI generated content.
- Tuesday
- The House Human Services Committee will meet to consider HB 1939, legislation to set market index for Intellectual Disability & Autism Direct Service Provider rates and HR 627, directing the Joint State Government Committee to study suicide prevention and data collection efforts.
- The House Education Committee will meet to consider HB 2787, an AI-healthcare bill prohibiting the use of AI in student mental health services
- Wednesday
The following are healthcare-related bills or cosponsor memos released by legislators this past week
- Rep. Jason Ortitay released HB 2797, which provides changes to the 340B drug provisions, reimbursement, and access.
- Rep. Liz Hanbidge introduced HB 2819, which provides for preeclampsia testing coverage.
- Sen. Christine Tartaglione introduced SR 383, which acknowledges Breast Cancer Awareness Month & National Mammography Day in 2026.
- Rep. John Lawrence circulated a cosponsor memo for legislation to allow for a court-based Death Certificate amendment process.
- Rep. Chris Rabb circulated a cosponsor memo for legislation to help protect healthcare practitioners from out-of-state investigations and legal actions.
- Rep. Lisa Borowski circulated a cosponsor memo for legislation to create a new Primary Care Investment Collaborative.
Department of Human Services
In an ever-changing healthcare landscape, stay plugged in to DHS updates for managing HR 1, new rules and regulations, among others. DHS’ Human Services Helpers, on the Substack platform – a media platform for video, podcasts, etc. – covers DHS program updates, agency news, and how organizations and partners can help their communities.
In their Medicaid Toolkit, DHS released information on changes to the retroactive coverage window for Medicaid recipients which take effect January 1st, how recipients can prepare, and how and where to find more information on the changes.
The Department released an Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) resource guide pooling together helpful information regarding PA’s approach to RHTP.
DHS issued MA Bulletins with updates to retroactive eligibility for MA beneficiaries and updated guidance on hospital presumptive eligibility determinations effective October 1, 2026 to align with federal changes made by the Working Families Tax Cut legislation impacting:
- Lawful Permanent Resident/Other Qualified Noncitizen
- Temporary Residents
- Refugees/Asylees/Parolees
- Refugee Unaccompanied Minors
The Department issued an MA Bulletin for updates to Medical Assistance Program Fee Increases for Direct Nursing Services Provided by a Home Health Agency.
DHS’s Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) issued a Remittance Advice notice for fee for service codes.
The Department released an MA Bulletin for direct nursing services provided by home health agencies in MA fee for service.
DHS issued its August 2026 MA Enrollment Report.
Department of Health
DOH announced on Wednesday, September 30th, a fifth measles-associated death along with 943 measles cases confirmed across 39 counties in Pennsylvania so far in 2026.
The Department issued a Health Alert Network Advisory regarding cases of La Crosse Virus in Crawford County.
Independent Regulatory Review Commission
IRRC scheduled a public hearing at 10am on October 15th for DHS’ Mental Health Procedures Act Final Form Regulations and several other updates to state licensure boards.
Department of Revenue
The Department of Revenue released September 2026 revenue collections. Pennsylvania collected $4.8 billion in General Fund revenue in September, which was $550.8 million, or 12.8 percent, more than anticipated. Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $11.2 billion, which is $529.3 million, or 4.9 percent, above estimate. Strong corporate net income tax collections attributable to rescinded federal tariffs were a primary contributor.
Stakeholder Meetings
The Department of Health has scheduled the following advisory meetings:
- Statewide Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council, October 22nd, 10am-Noon
- Renal Disease Advisory Committee, October 16th, 10am-Noon.
- Preventative Health & Health Services Block Grant Advisory Committee, October 19th, 9-10:30am.
DHS’ Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) will host a series of youth suicide prevention trainings held on Tuesdays from 12-1pm beginning on September 29th and concluding in April 2027.
The Department of Health’s HIV Community Prevention Planning Committee will hold its public meetings on Wednesday, November 18th and Thursday, November 19th, both from 9am-2pm.
Federal Update
Click here for a review of this week’s federal activities.