The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from July 7 – July 11.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Update 

Governor Shapiro and legislative leaders continue to meet and negotiate in an attempt to reach a final agreement on the commonwealth’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026 spending plan, which is 11 days overdue. As discussions continue, the Senate is recessed until the call of the chair and the House is currently scheduled to return to session on Monday, July 14. 

Governor Shapiro 

Governor Shapiro signed the following bills into law this week.

  • House Bill 309, now known as Act 29 of 2025, amends the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act to allow team physicians traveling internationally with their club or national team to treat their own players on site during games without needing a Pennsylvania medical license.
  • Senate Bill 95, now known as Act 34 of 2025, permits EMS providers to leave naloxone with a caregiver of a patient who overdosed. The bill also places certain disclosure requirements on pharmacies related to the retail and generic versions of prescribed medications and allows for the provisional licensing of pharmacists. 

The Shapiro administration has announced that Pennsylvania is a full participant in three multistate licensure compacts that will streamline the licensure process for physicians, nurses, and physical therapists. 

General Assembly

The state House of Representatives convened in Harrisburg this week. The following is an overview of selected health care-related legislative activity that occurred.

  • The House of Representatives passed House Bill 1697 by a vote of 136-67. House Bill 1697 establishes a state level false claims act. The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.
  • The House of Representatives passed House Bill 80, which authorizes the commonwealth to join the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact. The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.

The House of Representatives is currently scheduled to return to session on Monday, July 14. The Senate is recessed until the call of the chair.

Department of Human Services 

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced that it experienced a delay in implementing Version 42 of the APR DRG classification system for Medical Assistance (MA) enrolled acute care general hospitals. As a result of the delay, DHS will begin to mass adjust claims submitted for discharge dates October 1, 2024 through June 6, 2025. Find additional information in Provider Quick Tip #275.

DHS has announced it will hold another listening session in its “Food is Medicine Stakeholder Engagement Series,” which is part of the Bridges to Success: Keystones of Health demonstration waiver. The next session, which will focus on pregnancy food boxes, will take place on June 21 at 1:00 p.m. Find additional information and registration details here. 

Department of Community & Economic Development

The Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) has announced it will publish its draft action plan for the 2024 Allocation of Recovery Housing Program for public review and comment beginning July 12. The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded Pennsylvania $1.2 million of Recovery Housing Program funds, which will be administered by DCED. The purpose of the program is to help grantees to provide stable, temporary housing to individuals in recovery from a substance disorder. Find additional information in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice. 

Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) 

The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) has published notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin of recent actions taken by the commission, including the approval of the following pertinent regulations.

Around the State  

Spotlight PA has published an article about the potentially negative impacts the federal reconciliation package passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump will have on access to rural health care.

The Philadelphia Inquirer has written a piece about the Pennie, Pennsylvania’s state-based insurance marketplace, and the impact on enrollment if Congress doesn’t extend the enhanced tax credit subsidies. 

Stakeholder Meetings

DOH – HIV Planning Group – July 16-17

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Community Prevention Planning Committee will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, July 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Thursday, July 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in person and virtually. Find additional information in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

DOH – WIC State Advisory Board – July 22

The WIC State Advisory Board has announced its next regular meeting of the board will be held on July 22 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to collaborate to gather suggestions of strategies for increasing participation and improving the WIC program to better support participants. Find additional information in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

DOH – Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee – August 7

The Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on Thursday, August 7 from 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at 6340 Flank Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17112. The meeting will be conducted in person only. Find information on how to RSVP in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.