The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from April 21 – 25.  (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 269, which requires the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs, to develop opioid overdose public education materials.

• The House Insurance Committee held an informational meeting on Wednesday, April 23 to examine infertility care in Pennsylvania. A recording of the meeting is viewable here.

• Senator Hughes hosted an intergovernmental roundtable with federal, state, and local policymakers and various health care stakeholders to discuss various proposals being considered in Washington, D.C. that could impact Pennsylvania’s Medicaid funding and the state’s health care system. Find additional information and a recording of the meeting in this press release. 

The House of Representatives and Senate are currently in recess. Both chambers will return to Harrisburg on Monday, May 5. 

Department of Human Services

• The Department of Human Services (DHS) has made the Fiscal Year 25-2026 Social Services Block Grant Intended Use Plan available for public review and comment. Details on how to comment may be found in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice. 

• DHS has shared the following presentations utilized at the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) meeting on February 27.
  • Keystones of Health
  • Complex Care Coordination
  • Office of Developmental Programs (ODP)
  • Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS)
  • Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP)
  • Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL)

• DHS has shared the following prior authorization guideline briefing documents that were the subjects of this week’s Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee meeting.
  • Prior Authorization of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
  • Prior Authorization of Hypoglycemics, DPP-4 Inhibitors
  • Prior Authorization of Obesity Treatment Agents 

Department of Health 

The Department of Health (DOH) has issued a Health Advisory (PA-HAN 791) to alert health care providers of an expected increase in tick bite-related health care visits and to exercise a heightened clinical suspicion of tickborne illnesses.  

DOH has published notice of its intent to effectuate the recommendation of the Medical Marijuana Advisory Board to add ‘Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with Chronic Symptoms’ and ‘Type II Diabetes Mellitus’ to the list of serious medical conditions for Chapter 20 research purposes only. Find additional information in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice. 

Around the State

•   The Morning Call has published an article about the impact of a potential $500 million loss of federal funding for Pennsylvania that has supported public health efforts and local health agencies.

• Following the arsonist attack on the Governor’s Residence, Governor Shapiro has published a guest essay in The New York Times entitled, “Finding Moral Clarity After an Arsonists Attack.”

• An article written by WHYY details the current state of operations at Crozer Health amidst its impending closure. The Philadelphia Inquirer also published an article about this.  

Stakeholder Meetings

The Patient Safety Authority – April 29

The Patient Safety Authority board will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, April 29 at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will be held in person and virtually. Find additional details and information on how to participate in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

DOH – Brain Injury Advisory Board – May 2

The Brain Injury Advisory Board will hold a public meeting on May 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in person at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network, 6340 Flank Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17112 in the Cumberland conference room. Find additional details in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

DOH – HIV Planning Committee – May 14

The Statewide HIV Planning Group will hold public meetings on Wednesday, May 14 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Thursday, May 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in person and virtually. Find additional information on how to participate in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.