The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from December 15 – December 19 (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents).

SNAP Eligibility Screening Tool

DHS issued a new screening tool designed to help Pennsylvanians determine their eligibility for SNAP benefits. This tool follows new federal rules implemented by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which changed eligibility requirements for public assistance programs such as SNAP. 

General Assembly

The House concluded its voting days for the remainder of the year. As the year concludes, so does the tenure of service for some in the legislature. State Representatives Dan Miller in Allegheny County and Josh Siegel in Lehigh County both have tendered resignations to the Speaker to assume local offices won in November’s elections. The Speaker has set dates for special elections on Feb. 24th to replace these members. Two additional resignations will also be forthcoming between now and early 2026 for Reps. Torren Ecker of Adams County and Lou Schmitt of Blair County, also to assume local elected positions.

During House Session this week, the House Communications & Technology Committee held a public hearing on HB 1925, Rep. Arvind Venkat’s AI in Healthcare legislation. The hearing can be viewed here.

The House Health Committee unanimously voted out both HB 1202 & HB 1851 this week. Rep. David Zimmerman’s HB 1202 would create a Commonwealth Medical Stockpile which could be accessed by healthcare facilities. HB 1851, sponsored by Rep. Gina Curry, would allow nurse-midwives to sign fetal death certificates.

Additionally, the House acted on the following healthcare-related bills this week:

  • Receiving Second Consideration
    • HB 348, by Rep. Tim Bonner, which requires nursing facilities to make residents and their families aware of their rights and options to apply for Medicaid benefits at the time of entering a nursing home;
    • HB 1129, sponsored by Rep. Paul Friel, which provides for the sale of Net Operating Losses and unused Research & Development Tax Credits.
  • Final Passage from the House
    • HB 1530, by Rep. Danilo Burgos, which establishes privacy protections for Pennsylvania consumers regarding their genetic data collected by direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies (e.g., commercial DNA testing services). This bill was passed unanimously.
    • HB 1957, by Rep. Melissa Shusterman, which would establish the reproductive right in the Pennsylvania Constitution. This legislation passed 102-101.
    • HB 1881, by Rep. Arvind Venkat, passed 106-97. This bill would mirror an executive order by Governor Shapiro, allowing pharmacists’ practice authority to provide vaccines recommended by Pennsylvania’s health authorities that may be informed by our professional medical societies. 

Department of Human Services

DHS launched 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 issued an MA Bulletin regarding prior authorization for Lynkuet.

DHS updates to the Pennsylvania Medicaid Managed Care Directory and issued its MCO Enrollment Report for November 2025.

The Shapiro Administration announced the launching of a suite of new technology and tools to support the Commonwealth’s administration and management of public assistance programs and improve customer experience.  

State Board of Pharmacy

The State Board of Pharmacy proposed rulemaking that sets forth the board’s criteria for eligibility for licensure by endorsement, including the specific methods required for an applicant to demonstrate competency. It also sets forth the requirements for granting a provisional endorsement license. 

Independent Fiscal Office

The IFO published a new budget brief that uses the latest SNAP benefits data for November 2025. The data show that the number of enrollees declined by 158,000 (-8%) from the prior year as new work requirements take effect. 

Stakeholder Meetings

The Department of Health’s Renal Disease Advisory Committee will meet for its quarterly public meeting on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Federal Update

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