The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from October 19 – October 23 (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

Governor’s Office

With Session activity winding down, the Governor signed 58 bills into law this week. Here are several of the healthcare-related bills enacted:

• HB 27, legislation protecting healthcare workers from surgical smoke;
• HB 69, legislation requiring the creation of unused prescription drug repositories;
• HB 928, defining usage of epinephrine auto-injectors in Child Care Facilities;
• HB 1123, legislation updating colorectal cancer screening coverage requirements;
• HB 1652, legislation adding Gaucher’s Disease to the Newborn Screening Panel,
• HB 1961, legislation authorizing PA to join the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact;
• HB 2014, legislation allowing minors to serve in emergency services organizations,
• HB 2464, legislation repealing outdated language in PA’s Insurance laws;
• HB 2473; legislation repealing obsolete provisions within Insurance laws;
• SB 116, legislation allowing high-school-age workers to earn credits for work in a long-term care facility;
• SB 381, legislation placing limitations and regulations on research and testing of animals;
• SB 804, legislation prohibiting toxic substances in IV bags and tubing;
• SB 806, legislation requiring disclosure on AI generated content, including images, audio, video, and text used for the sale of consumer goods;
• SB 1212, legislation ensuring the prompt testing of rape kits;
• SB 1334, legislation increasing regulation and oversight of medical imaging & radiology. 

General Assembly

The House and Senate returned to session on Monday October 19^th through Wednesday October 21^st. In addition to the above bills passing into law, below are some healthcare-related actions by the legislature:

• Monday October 19^th
  • The House Communications & Technology Committee held a public meeting on “Mitigating Risks from Frontier AI Models”: HB 2800, legislation to address catastrophic risks posed by frontier AI models & HB 2829, legislation to develop an AI regulatory framework in safety practices and incident reporting.
  • The House Education Committee met and voted 25-1 to advance SB 998, legislation providing funding for accredited nursing programs, enabling them to expand nursing faculty and increase the number of nurse preceptors.
  • The Senate Health & Human Services Committee met and unanimously advanced HB 348, legislation requiring guidance and notice to long-term care residents on Medicaid eligibility; HB 1652, legislation adding Gaucher’s Disease to the Newborn Screening Panel; SB 965, legislation creating a remote maternal health monitoring program; SB 1041, which would establish a Complex Care Assistant Program; SB 1306, establishing a Hospital Security Grant Program; and SB 1504, which would create an independent dispute resolution process for hospital regulatory deficiencies.
  • The Senate Institutional Sustainability & Innovation Committee met and unanimously advanced HB 2614, legislation banning the use of toxic substances in IV bags and tubing.
  • House
    • SB 730, the PA Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment bill, was amended on 2^nd Consideration.
• Tuesday October 20^th
  • House
    • SB 730, the PA Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment bill, passed the House by a margin of 128-75
  • Senate
    • SR 238, a resolution directing a study of PA’s reimbursement rates in Pediatric and Adult Shift Nursing, was adopted unanimously.
    • SR 397, a resolution directing a study of unnecessary regulatory burdens in healthcare, was adopted unanimously.
    • SB 1415, legislation to enhance penalties for abuse and neglect of a care dependent person, passed the Senate 49-1.
• Wednesday October 21^st
  • Senate
    • SB 807, legislation to establish an Elder Abuse Registry in PA, passed the Senate by a margin of 42-8.

Following this week’s activity, the House and Senate will return post-general election to wrap up the 25-26 Legislative Session. 

PA Health Care Cost Containment Council

PHC4 published its County-Level Utilization Reports detailing specifics on inpatient and outpatient healthcare data at the local level. 

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.

DHS issued final notice on forthcoming Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments to qualifying hospitals. These payments were first proposed in the June 13^th PA Bulletin and received no public comment.

The Department released its September 2026 HealthChoices Enrollment Report.

Department of Health

DOH convened a measles roundtable with Mifflin County healthcare leaders as PA sees 1,338 measles cases confirmed as of Friday, October 23^rd across 44 counties in Pennsylvania so far for 2026.

The Department issued a Health Alert Network Advisory for providers to help identify cases of Burkholderia cepacacia complex infections and a Health Alert Network Advisory with guidance to providers on pregnant patients during the measles outbreak.  

Stakeholder Meetings

The Department of Health has scheduled the following advisory meetings:

• Organ Donation Advisory Committee, November 5^th, 10am-1:30pm
• Brain Injury Advisory Board, November 6^th, 10am-3pm.

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 29^th and concluding in April 2027.

The Department of Health’s HIV Community Prevention Planning Committee will hold its public meetings on Wednesday, November 18^th and Thursday, November 19^th, both from 9am-2pm. 

Federal Update

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