The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from June 22 – June 26 (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

Budget Update

Tuesday’s budget deadline approaches and key negotiators and legislative leaders continue to discuss options to close an agreement. Part of those options may be utilizing the Rainy Day Fund if other proposed revenue options such as the taxation and regulation of adult -use cannabis and skill games are not agreed-to by the Governor, House, and Senate. Even parties reluctant to agree to utilizing the Rainy Day fund last year such as Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, acknowledge, “It’s going to be a difficult task to not have any conversation about the Rainy Day Fund.” Additionally this week, legislative efforts were underway to remove tax breaks for data centers in both the House and Senate. 

General Assembly

The House and Senate were in session from Monday to Thursday and provided the following actions:

  • Monday June 22nd
    • The House voted 200-2 to approve and send HB 377 to the Senate. This bill would prohibit the sale, manufacture, or delivery of tianeptine, often called “gas station heroin” in Pennsylvania.
    • The Senate advanced SB 1352, 45-5, over to the House which allows for two-year licensure for addiction treatment providers.
  • Tuesday, June 23rd
    • The House voted unanimously on HB 75 and HB 76, both of which addressed dual recognition for Physician Assistants by removing the requirement of PAs to maintain the same board licensure as their supervising physician.
    • The House passed HB 1127 by a margin of 136-66. This legislation authorizes the Commonwealth to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact.
    • The Senate unanimously supported SB 730, the PA Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment legislation which outlines orders during end-of-life decisions.
  • Wednesday, June 24th
    • The House unanimously voted to send HB 2162, legislation to streamline the wholesale drug manufacturing licensure process, to the Senate.
    • HB 2621, which would fund the Department of Health Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), was voted favorably out of the House by a margin of 190-12.
    • The Senate moved SB 482 by a party-line vote over to the House. This legislation would increase education and awareness provisions for the LIFE Program.
    • The Senate unanimously advanced SB 1206, legislation to streamline the wholesale drug manufacturing licensure process, to the House.
    • The Senate Health & Human Services Committee advanced several bills; HB 69 unanimously, which is legislation formalizing unused pharmaceutical drug donation programs; SR 216, 8-5, requiring the Legislative Budget & Finance Committee conduct an audit of PA’s Medicaid program; HB 1117, unanimously, which shifts to recovery-focused language within the Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs operating statute.
    • The Senate Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee held a voting meeting to amend HB 1460, the mergers & acquisitions in healthcare bill by a 8-3 margin. The bill was sent to the full Senate by a margin of 9-2.
    • The House Insurance Committee held a voting meeting to amend HB 2226, legislation addressing co-pay accumulator policies, and HB 2652, legislation acknowledging out-of-pocket costs in cash pay or online prescription marketplace transactions by insurers. Both bills were amended in committee and advanced by a 14-12 vote. The Committee also reported out in a 14-12 vote HB 2653, which is legislation requiring insurers to accept any willing, qualified behavioral health provider into network and referred several healthcare-related bills to other committees.

The House and Senate return to session on Monday, June 29th as they work towards the June 30th Budget Deadline.

The following are healthcare-related bills or cosponsor memos released by legislators this past week:

  • Rep. Steve Malagari issued a co-sponsor memo for legislation requiring insurance coverage for infertility care.
  • Rep. Emily Kinkead released a co-sponsor memo for legislation allowing the Commonwealth to purchase generic naloxone.
  • Sen. Frank Farry circulated a co-sponsor memo for legislation to broaden EMS transportation options for patients with behavioral health crisis needs.
  • Sen. Tracy Pennycuick issued a co-sponsor memo for legislation to prevent fraudulent claims within PA’s insurance marketplace, Pennie ®.
  • Rep. Bridget Kosierowski introduced HB 2649, which would require access to fertility coverage for patients diagnosed with cancer.
  • Rep. Tarik Khan proposed HB 2648, legislation to prevent insurers from changing coverage terms or premiums during a contract year.
  • Rep. Arvind Venkat introduced HB 2673, legislation requiring insurance coverage of preventative services as recommended by several national health authorities.
  • Sen. Steve Santarsiero introduced SB 1399, legislation to require advanced emergency planning and preparation for nursing home facilities. 

Department of Aging

The Department released the PA Long Term Care Council’s meeting schedule for 2026. 

Department of Health

The Department issued a Health Alert Network release with guidance to medical providers in response to the ongoing measles outbreak in certain counties in PA. 

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.

The Department released its proposed methodology for the Nursing Facility Assessment Program payments for FY 2026-2027. Public comment on the proposed assessment methodology will be accepted for 30 days and can be filed to the Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Policy and Regulatory Management, Attention: Benjamin Spager, P.O. Box 8025, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8025 or at RA-PWOLTLNFPUBLICCOM@pa.gov.

DHS issued notice of proposed amendments to the Commonwealth’s State Plan to update payments and methodology for the Budget Adjustment Factor for nursing facilities. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding the BAF formula during a 30-day public comment period to the Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Policy Development and Communications Management, Attention: Benjamin Spager, P.O. Box 8025, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8025 or at RA-PWOLTLNFPUBLICCOM@pa.gov.

The Department also issued proposed case-mix rates for payments to nonpublic and county-operated nursing facilities. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding the proposed annual rates for FY 2026-2027 to the Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Policy Development and Communications Management, Attention: Benjamin Spager, P.O. Box 8025, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8025 or at RA-PWOLTLNFPUBLICCOM@pa.gov. Comments received within 30 days will be reviewed and considered.

DHS released Prior Authorization Guidelines for Upper Extremity Orthoses.

The Department also shared its May 2026 HealthChoices Enrollment Report.

Stakeholder Meetings

DHS is hosting a public hearing for public comment on the proposed LIHEAP state plan on July 2nd, both from 10am – Noon.

DOH’s Renal Disease Advisory Committee will hold their public meeting on July 17th.

The Department of Health’s Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council will hold a public meeting on July 30th from 10am-Noon.

DOH’s HIV Community Prevention & Planning Committee will hold public meetings on August 19th from 9-12pm & August 20th from 9-2pm.

The Department of Health’s Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on Thursday August 20th from 10am- Noon. 

Federal Update

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