The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from July 6 – 10 (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents).
Budget Update
Pennsylvania’s state budget is now more than a week late. The General Assembly was not able to come to an agreement this week, despite warnings from local leaders about the lasting impacts of budget impasses over the last five years. Stakeholders are optimistic that an agreement can be found this weekend.
Senators will return to Harrisburg for a nonvoting session on Friday for committee meetings and voting sessions are expected to take place on Saturday and Sunday. The House Appropriations Committee is planning to meet on Saturday night, and the full House will convene for a voting session at noon on Sunday.
The Pennsylvania Revenue Department released final Fiscal Year 2025-26 collections, which were $1.1 billion above the original estimate.
General Assembly
The House and Senate were not in Session this week. The following are healthcare-related bills or cosponsor memos released by legislators this past week:
- Sen. Judy Ward issued a cosponsor memo describing legislation to create an attestation process for ambulatory surgical facilities to add new services and update the Medicare covered procedures list used by the Department of Health.
- Rep. Dan Frankel and Minority Leader Bryan Cutler notified legislators that they will soon introduce legislation to remove the sunset provision governing the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council’s (PHC4) operations.
- Rep. Liz Hanbidge plans to introduce legislation to cap the cost of epinephrine delivery systems and limit out-of-pocket costs for consumers to $35.
- Rep. Natalie Mihalik circulated a cosponsor memo on her plan to introduce a bill urging action by the FDA to address ongoing shortages of hormone replacement therapy medications, particularly transdermal estradiol products.
Department of Human Services
In an ever-changing healthcare landscape, stay plugged in to DHS updates for managing HR 1, new rules and regulations, among others. DHS’ Human Services Helpers, on the Substack platform – a media platform for video, podcasts, etc. – covers DHS program updates, agency news, and how organizations and partners can help their communities.
DHS announced the availability of $25 million in Rural Health Transformation Funds to support qualified onboarding with the statewide health information exchange, the Pennsylvania Patient and Provider Network (P3N). Eligible applicants include hospitals, nursing facilities, home health agencies, behavioral health providers, substance use disorder providers, group homes, and intermediate care facilities and each provider type is subject to an award cap. Applications open on July 27 and will remain open until August 14. Find more information in this PA Bulletin notice and stay tuned to this DHS webpage for the application form.
DHS updated its Provider Quick Tip #85 on the Breast & Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment program.
The Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience (CODE PA) is working with the DHS’s Bureau of Human Services Licensing to survey providers on their experience with applying for and maintaining licenses issued by the commonwealth. Interested providers can complete this short survey to show interest in participating in virtual interviews with CODE PA researchers.
DHS has announced the replacement SNAP benefits available for Pennsylvanians affected by recent severe weather and power outages.
The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that one year after President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which added work requirements for certain Medicaid recipients and reduced federal aid for administering food benefits, 98,000 fewer Pennsylvanians are receiving food benefits.
Elsewhere, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that Pennie (the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace) enrollment has dropped by 160K after federal subsidies expired.
Department of Health
The Department of Health (DOH) issued a health alert with information on New World Screwworm, a parasitic fly, that has been identified in livestock in Texas and New Mexico. Providers are advised to suspect infection in patients with recent travel to these areas.
Stakeholder Meetings
The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) will hold its monthly meeting on July 23 at 10am. Register here. The MAAC Consumer Subcommittee will meet on July 22 at 1pm. Registration can be found here.
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) will host its quarterly stakeholder webinar at 3pm on July 23. Register here.
Federal Update
Click here for a review of this week’s federal activities.