The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from April 20 –April 24 (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

Rural Health Transformation Program

Today, DHS announced the qualifications for 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. Providers may submit the eligibility certification and required documentation beginning on May 1 to show they meet all of the following criteria:

  • 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.

This program payment is limited to one payment per qualified entity. Under the first tranche of this program request, program payments are limited to two program payments per region. There is a planned second tranche of funds to be made available after June 1, 2026 and that second tranche will not be limited by region.

DHS will authorize program payments in the order eligibility certifications are received, as evidenced by the date and time the email containing the full eligibility certification and receipt of all required documents. Providers should begin preparing the required documentation and budget narrative now for email submission on May 1. Submissions can be made via email to: RA-HHRRLHLTHTRNSPLAN@pa.gov. 

General Assembly

The Senate held session earlier week addressing the following issues:

  • Monday
    • The Senate passed Sen. Rosemary Brown’s SB 998, by a measure of 43-4, which would provide an expansion of resources for accredited nursing programs in PA through the Nurse Education Capacity Expansion Grant program.
  • Tuesday
    • The Senate Local Government Committee advanced HB 1442, which would require that all autopsies include a review to whether a seizure or epilepsy was part of the cause of death.
  • Wednesday

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

  • Sen. Amanda Cappelletti circulated a co-sponsor memo for legislation requiring the inclusion of Gaucher’s Disease on Pennsylvania’s Newborn Screening Panel and a co-sponsor memo for legislation that would allow access to PrEP and PEP medications without prescriptions.
  • Sen. Elder Vogel issued a co-sponsor memo for a resolution recognizing IgA Nephropathy Awareness Day in Pennsylvania.
  • Senator Michele Brooks released a co-sponsor memo for a resolution to designate May 2026 as Lyme Disease & Tick-Borne Illness Awareness Month in PA.
  • Rep. Frank Burns introduced HB 2431 which would require PBMs to accept Medicaid prescriptions from any pharmacy and pharmacist in good standing with the State Board of Pharmacy and US DEA.
  • Rep. Maureen Madden introduced HB 2435, providing for dementia training for EMS personnel. This legislation will receive a public hearing in the House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee on Monday April 27th.  

The House is scheduled to return to session this upcoming week. In addition to the hearing on HB 2435, the following activity is anticipated:

  • On Monday, the House Human Services Committee will meet to consider House Resolution 134, a resolution directing a comprehensive review of home & community-based services waiver programs and areas of improvement that can be identified.
  • On Tuesday, the House Health Committee will meet to consider HB 916, legislation to update the Child Blood Lead Testing Act.

Both the House and Senate will return to session on May 4th. 

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. Recently highlighted in DHS’ Human Services Helpers Substack was a toolkit for Long-Term Care Services & Caregivers to help all parties better understand and navigate the enrollment process.

DHS is currently hiring Regional Policy Specialists and an Executive Policy Specialist to help implement PA’s Rural Health Transformation Plan.

The Department issued its March 2026 HealthChoices Enrollment Report.

DHS announced its schedule for onboarding provider types to begin using the Qualitrac electronic prior authorization portal for MA fee-for-service claims. For each wave of the rollout, providers will receive a kickoff communication with instructions on how to register for the portal, then complete the registration and attend an initial training session focused on how to use the portal for their specific review type. There is no deadline at this time for mandatory use of Qualitrac for these authorizations, but DHS strongly encourages providers to use the portal once they are ready.

Department of Health

The Department released a Health Advisory Network alert for an increase in emergency department visits for tick bites and urging providers to heighten suspicion for tickborne diseases.

DOH, the Patient Safety Authority, and other stakeholders released updated guidance to acute care facilities regarding the definition of serious events, incidents, or infrastructure failures. 

Stakeholder Meetings

The Patient Safety Authority will hold a public meeting on April 28th at 1pm.

DOH’s Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program will hold a public teleconference on April 30th from 10am to Noon.

The Department of Health’s Spinal Cord Research Advisory Committee Meeting will hold a public meeting on May 1st from 9am – 10am and the Brain Injury Advisory Board Meeting will also hold their public meeting on May 1st from 10am – 3pm.

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

Federal Update

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