The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from August 4 – August 15.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Update 

While there has been considerable activity surrounding the state budget impasse, the passage of budget and mass transit legislation remains largely about political positioning rather than tangible progress toward a final budget for this fiscal year. It appears likely the budget impasse will extend into September.

The House stands adjourned until September 22 and the Senate until September 8. 

Department of Human Services 

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is taking steps to inform the commonwealth’s Rural Health Transformation Plan that will be required for submission to the federal government to receive an award of rural health funds that were included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. DHS is seeking feedback in the following areas as well as any ideas that help improve access in rural communities:

• maternal health
• mental and behavioral health
• aging and access
• transportation and EMS
• rural healthcare workforce

Respondents should use this online form to submit feedback by August 29.

DHS has updated a guidance document for providers participating in the DHS Breast & Cervical Cancer Prevention & Treatment Program.

DHS’s calendar of Remittance Advice Dates has been updated to include September 2025. 

Department of Health

The Department of Health (DOH) is looking for feedback on the development and implementation of a virtual and/or hybrid skills assessment examination process for nurse aides entering the long-term care sector in Pennsylvania. DOH is interested in learning about existing models, technologies, operational logistics, training and credentialing frameworks, and regulatory considerations that support successful and scalable virtual nurse aide skills examination solutions. For more information and instructions for how to submit a response to this RFI here. 

Around the State 

• Broad + Liberty discusses the impact of private equity and health care bankruptcies on patient access to care in this article related to the closure of Crozer-Chester hospitals in southeast Pennsylvania.

• Spotlight PA in this article highlighted how the legislative action from this past week has only deepened the budget impasse in Harrisburg. 

• PennLive reported on the Pennsylvania hospitals that were recently included in the U.S. World News & Reports list of best hospitals in the country.

Stakeholder Meetings

OMHSAS – Certified Recovery Specialist Feedback Sessions (Sept-Oct) 

The DHS Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) is hosting six stakeholder sessions to gather feedback on Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS) services within the Medicaid program. The intended audience includes county mental health providers, CRS, and CRS supervisors. Click here for registration information.