The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from April 27 –May 1 (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

Rural Health Transformation Program

Applications are being accepted today for providers to submit their RHTP eligibility certification and required documentation to show they meet all of the qualifications for providers:

• Licensed as a hospital, health care provider, or rural health facility;
• Currently in operation in Pennsylvania at the time of application and at the time funding is received;
• Located in one of the RHTP-eligible rural counties or in a HRSA-defined rural census tract of a county of the second class A or third class.

DHS released FAQs to help address provider questions. Submissions can be made via email to:  RA-HHRRLHLTHTRNSPLAN@pa.gov.

Submissions will be reviewed for those providers to receive Rapid Response Stabilization payments of at least $10,000 and up to $1 million to be used for the purchase of supplies, equipment, renovations, or structural improvements in alignment with the goals outlined in the commonwealth’s RHTP application to the federal government. 

General Assembly

The House held session earlier this week addressing the following healthcare related issues:

• Monday
  • The House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee held a public hearing on Rep. Maureen Madden’s HB 2435, providing for dementia training for EMS personnel.
• Tuesday
  • The House Health Committee passed HB 916, legislation to update the Child Blood Lead Testing Act, as amended by a vote of 14-12.
  • The House Human Services Committee unanimously advanced House Resolution 134, a resolution directing a comprehensive review of home & community-based services waiver programs and areas of improvement that can be identified.

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

• Rep. Darisha Parker introduced House Bill 2464 which would replace outdated terminology in PA’s Insurance Company Law.
• Rep. Anthony Bellmon circulated a co-sponsor memo for a resolution designating May 2026 as Guillain-Barre Syndrome Awareness Month.
• A co-sponsor memo issued by Rep. Russ Diamond proposes a resolution designating October 13^th as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day in 2026.
• Rep. Kerry Benninghoff released a co-sponsor memo for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September of 2026.
• Rep. Arvind Venkat issued a cosponsor memo for legislation to establish timelines for the processing of Medical Assistance applications in long-term care and another for a resolution directing a study on medical schools and their promotion of careers in primary care.
• Rep. Kathy Rapp issued co-sponsor memos for resolutions designating Surgical Technologist Week and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Awareness Week.
• A co-sponsor memo was filed by both Rep. Tina Davis and Sen. Steve Santarsiero for legislation requiring the sharing of emergency plans and contacts for nursing facilities with local emergency responders.
• Sen. Tina Tartaglione issued co-sponsor memos for resolutions designating Mental Health Awareness Month and Older Americans Month.
• Sen. Amanda Cappelletti and Sen. Steve Santarsiero released a co-sponsor memo for legislation requiring insurance coverage for breastfeeding and feeding support services.
• Sen. Michele Brooks issued a co-sponsor memo for a resolution designating National Hospital Week.
• Sen. Judy Ward released a co-sponsor memo for a resolution designating Nursing Week in Pennsylvania.
• A co-sponsor memo circulated by Sen. Elder Vogel for a resolution designating May 14^th as IgA Nephropathy Awareness Day in PA.

The House and Senate are scheduled to return to session this upcoming week where the following activity is anticipated:

• Tuesday
  • The House Communications & Technology Committee will hold a voting meeting to consider HB 1925, which would provide regulations and parameters on the use of AI in Healthcare.
  • The House Aging & Older Adult Services and Human Services Committees will hold a joint public hearing on In Lieu of Services.
• Wednesday
  • The House Health Committee will hold an informational hearing on the Uniform Healthcare Decision Act.
  • The House Insurance Committee will hold a voting meeting on HB 2427; consolidation of utilization management statutes, HB 2464; replacing outdated references in PA’s Insurance Law, and HB 2473; repealing obsolete insurance laws and completed statutorily required studies.
• Thursday
  • The Senate Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee will hold a hearing on SB 792, which would provide for an increase in the Research & Development Tax Credit program in PA.

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.

The Department released a bulletin notice announcing the approval of doula services’ inclusion in the PA Medicaid State Plan by CMS retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025, as required by Act 115 of 2024.

DHS issued a provider tip for streamlining provider revalidation submissions.

The Department released their latest updated PA Managed Care Directory. 

Stakeholder Meetings

The Department of Health’s Organ Donation Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on May 7^th from 10am-1:30pm.

DOH’s Statewide HIV Planning Group will hold a public meeting on May 20^th from 9am to Noon.

Federal Update

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