The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from April 1 – 5.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

General Assembly 

The Senate Aging & Youth Committee held an informational hearing on Wednesday, April 3 to examine challenges facing Pennsylvania’s children and youth services agencies. A recording of the hearing and copies of testimony provided to the committee are viewable here.

The state House of Representatives and Senate will reconvene for session Monday, April 8 through Wednesday, April 10. Following is an overview of selected health care-related legislative activity currently scheduled next week.

  • The House Human Services Committee will meet on Monday, April 8 at 9:00 a.m. to consider House Resolution 373, which recognizes the week of April 11 through 17, 2024, as “Black Maternal Health Week” in Pennsylvania. The meeting will be held in Room 515 of the Irvis Office Building.
  • Following its voting meeting, the House Human Services Committee will hold an informational meeting on the delivery of quality home care services under Community HealthChoices. The meeting will be livestreamed here.
  • The House Health Committee will hold an informational meeting on Thursday, April 11 on advancing social equity through cannabis legalization. The meeting will be held in Room 60 of the East Wing and livestreamed here. 

Department of Human Services

After one year of processing Medicaid eligibility redeterminations following the end of pandemic-related continuous eligibility, the Department of Human Services (DHS) has reported that less than 600,000 applications are left to be processed and it should be completed with this effort by June 30.

About 70 percent of individuals remained eligible for Medicaid following their redetermination. To continue assisting Medicaid recipients with their annual redeterminations, providers are reminded to:

Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs

The Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has provided an update on certification entities. Clinical supervisors and counselors that provide clinical treatment services in licensed substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facilities have a number of ways to meet minimum qualifications. One of those ways is full certification by a statewide certification body that is a member of a national body. In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) has historically been one of the entities that provides that certification. In addition to PCB, the newly developed Pennsylvania Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (PCC AP), which is part of the Pennsylvania Association of Addiction Professionals, an affiliate of the National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC), is also an option for certification for clinical counselors and supervisors.  

Department of Insurance

The Department of Insurance has published guidance on how insurers should govern the development, acquisition, and use of certain artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. This department has also informed insurers of the type of information and documentation that the department may request during an investigation or examination of any insurer regarding its use of the technologies and AI systems. Find additional information in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice. 

Revenue Collection Update 

The Department of Revenue has announced that Pennsylvania collected $6.3 billion in General Fund revenue in March, which was $289.9 million, or 4.8 percent, more than anticipated. Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $32.8 billion, which is $366.0 million, or 1.1 percent, above estimate. 

Stakeholder Events 

PHC4 – Meeting Dates

The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) has scheduled the following meetings.

  • Data Systems Committee meeting on April 17, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
  • Council meetings on May 4 at 8:30 a.m. and July 11 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Payment Data Advisory Group meetings on April 18, May 23, and June 20 at 10:00 a.m.

Agendas will be available 24 hours in advance here. Find details on how to register and participate here. 

Patient Safety Authority – April 25

The Patient Safety Authority will hold a meeting of the authority’s board on Thursday, April 25 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually. Find details on how to participate in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice. 

DOH – Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council – April 25

The Statewide Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program (SPBP) Advisory Council will hold a public meeting on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in person and virtually. Find additional information and details on how to participate in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.