The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from August 5 – 9.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

General Assembly

The state House of Representatives and Senate are recessed until Monday, September 23 and Monday, September 16, respectively. 

Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued two Medical Assistance bulletins relating to prior authorization for pharmacy services.

Department of Health 

The Department of Health (DOH) has announced it distributed 50,000 xylazine wound care kits to provide relief for people with xylazine-associated wounds. The kits have been distributed to more than 200 medical and harm reduction organizations across the commonwealth. Find additional information in this press release. 

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council

The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) has released a new research brief, Hospitalizations for Pennsylvania Children with Cancer. The research brief examines inpatient hospitalizations for Pennsylvania children who were admitted to a Pennsylvania general acute care hospital with a diagnosis of cancer. 

Insurance Department 

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has announced that 2025 rate changes requested by insurance companies currently operating in Pennsylvania’s individual and small group markets are now available here. Find additional information in this press release. 

Around the State   

  • The Philadelphia Inquirer has published an article about Crozer Health’s potential sale to New Jersey-based CHA Partners, and its conversion back into a non-profit. WHYY also wrote an article about the planned sale 
  • Vice President Kamala Harris’ decision to pick Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate over Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro received a lot of media coverage this week, including this article published by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  • PennWatch has published an article about the Shapiro administration’s efforts to distribute 50,000 xylazine wound care kits across the state. 

Stakeholder Events

DHS – Dual Diagnosis Conference – September 11

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) have announced the Dual Diagnosis Conference Services, “Insidious Trauma: Context, Impact, and Considerations for Care.” The conference will be held September 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Find additional information and registration details here. 

DHS – OLTL Transportation Summit – September 17

The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) will host a transportation summit on Tuesday, September 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The summit is an open forum for anyone interested in discussing transportation related issues in the Community HealthChoices (CHC) program. The summit will be held virtually. Find registration details here. 

DOH – Spinal Cord Injury Research Advisory Committee – September 18

The Spinal Cord Injury Research Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, September 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The meeting will be held in person at Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (910 Allentown Road, Sellersville, PA 18960) and virtually by means of Microsoft Teams. Find additional details in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.