The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from March 17 – 21.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

General Assembly

The state House of Representatives convened for voting session this week. The following is an overview of selected health care-related legislative activity.

• The House of Representatives passed House Bill 157, which establishes the Rural Health Care Grant Program to provide grants to entities in rural counties and designated medically underserved areas to pay for the education debt of certain health care practitioners. The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.

• The House of Representatives passed House Bill 60, which allows pharmacies to make a one-time transfer of a prescription for a controlled substance to another pharmacy without requiring a new prescription. The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.

• The House of Representatives passed House Bill 111, which prohibits insurers from denying coverage to individuals solely because they have an opioid reversal agent in their prescription profile. The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.

• The House of Representatives passed House Bill 33, which implements greater oversight of medical marijuana labs and product testing. The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.

• The House Insurance Committee met on Monday, March 17 and favorably reported the following package of bills, which seek to codify the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) patient protections in state statute.

• • House Bill 404, which enables an adult child to receive insurance coverage until 26.
  • House Bill 535, which prohibits annual and lifetime coverage limits.
  • House Bill 618, which prohibits the denial of health insurance coverage due to pre-existing conditions.
  • House Bill 755, which maintains access to preventative health care services.

• The House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee held an informational hearing on Tuesday, March 18 about the Department of Aging’s newly launched oversight program of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) network. A recording of the hearing is viewable here.

• The House Human Services Committee held an informational hearing on House Bill 561, which expands Act 80 of 2015 to include all forms of FDA-approved medications for the treatment of substance use disorder (SUD). A recording of the hearing is viewable here.

• The House Majority Policy Committee held an informational hearing on Wednesday, March 19 examining sustainable long-term care. Testimony offered to the committee is viewable here and a recording of the hearing is viewable here.

• The Senate Majority Policy Committee held an informational hearing on improving access to quality health care through technological innovation. Testimony offered to the committee and a recording of the hearing is viewable here.

The state House of Representatives and the Senate will convene in Harrisburg for voting session next Monday, March 24 through Wednesday, March 26. 

Department of Human Services 

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has updated its calendar of mailing dates for Remittance Advices and corresponding electronic transfers and checks through April. Find the updated calendar here. 

Department of Insurance

The Pennsylvania Department of Insurance (PID) has published a Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) adjustment, which is utilized as a benchmark for the maximum benefit for autism services required to be covered by an insurer. The CPI-U adjustment for policies issued or renewed in calendar year 2026 is a 2.9 percent increase, which results in a maximum benefit of $51,908. The department does not expect this to have any impact on the coverage of autism services in the commonwealth. Find additional information in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice. 

Department of Aging 

The Department of Aging has announced the rollout of its new platform to increase transparency and accountability of Pennsylvania’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA) network – Comprehensive Agency Performance Evaluation (CAPE). In addition, the department will begin publicly posting performance results on its website for the first cohort of AAAs to be monitored under CAPE. 

Around the State

• The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published an article about the reopening of Sharon Regional Medical Center and legislation being considered in the General Assembly focused on rural health and health care mergers and acquisitions. 

• Spotlight PA has written an article about hospital charity care programs and their lack of standardization, which was the focus of a recent Health Affairs article.  

• Legislative efforts to provide more assistance for health care practitioners’ student loan repayment was the focus of an article published by The Center Square.

• Harold Brubaker has written an article for The Philadelphia Inquirer about the most recent emergency court hearing held on efforts to keep Crozer Health open in Delaware County. 

Stakeholder Meetings

DHS – Consumer Sub-MAAC – March 26

The Consumer Subcommittee of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) will hold a public meeting on March 26 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually. Click here for additional information.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – March 27

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) will hold a public meeting on March 27 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held virtually. Click here for additional information.