The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from June 17 – 21.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

General Assembly

  • The state House of Representatives and Senate will reconvene for voting session next Monday, June 24. Both chambers are currently scheduled to remain in session until Monday, June 30, which is Pennsylvania’s constitutional deadline to enact a budget.
  • The House Children & Youth Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 25 at 9:00 a.m. to consider House Bill 1425, which directs the Department of Human Services to develop a five-year plan to offer evidence-based maternal home visiting programs for eligible families. The meeting will be held in Room B-31 of the Main Capitol. It will be livestreamed here.
  • The House Health Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, June 26 at 9:30 a.m. to consider House Bill 2344, which imposes more reporting requirements and additional oversight on health care facility mergers and acquisitions, and House Bill 2382, which establishes a rural health care grant program to incentive licensed health care practitioners to practice in rural areas. The meeting will be held in Room G-50 of the Irvis Building. It will be livestreamed here. 

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services (DHS) has updated its calendar of mailing dates for Remittance Advices and corresponding electronic transfers and checks through July 2024. Find the updated calendar here.
  • DHS has issued revisions to the participating drug company list for the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. The revisions are viewable here.
  • DHS has announced a recent audit uncovered recipient date of death discrepancies and a claims recovery was completed to recoup monies paid in error. DHS also reminded providers that it is their responsibility to resubmit a correctly completed claim if they are due payment for services provided prior to the date of death.  Find the notice here. 

Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs 

The Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has announced it will offer a virtual “Implementation, Improvement, Sustainability and Coaching of the ASAM Criteria – A How-To Science Based Approach” training in conjunction with Train for Change. The training will be offered in three series. It will teach the NIATx model for process improvement in conjunction with the ASAM Criteria Implementation Guide. Find the three series’ dates and additional information here. 

Around the State 

  • The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has reported about the state’s looming budget deadline and Senator Majority Leader Joe Pittman’s assertion that “[negotiations] could perhaps use… a kick in the pants to get moving.”
  • The New York Times has published an article about the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and how they contribute to the cost of prescription drugs.
  • Spotlight PA has published an article about efforts to legalize recreational marijuana and the likelihood of legalization being a part of this year’s budget package.

Stakeholder Events   

DHS – Consumer Sub-MAAC – June 26

The Consumer Subcommittee of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) will hold a public meeting on June 26 at 1:00 p.m. Register to participate here.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – June 27

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) will hold a public meeting on June 27 at 10:00 a.m. Find the agenda here and register to participate here.