The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from June 2 – 6.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

General Assembly

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

  • The Senate passed Senate Bill 411, which provides the ability for the Pennsylvania Department of Health to create and utilize a stroke registry. The bill will now be sent to the House for consideration.
  • The House of Representatives passed House Bill 704, which establishes the “Pennsylvania Neurodegenerative Disease Research Program.” The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.
  • The House of Representatives passed House Bill 668, which authorizes Pennsylvania to join the National Counseling Compact. The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.
  • The House of Representatives also passed House Bill 554, which authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Social Work Licensure Compact. The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.
  • The House of Representatives passed House Bill 1140, which expands access to contraceptives. The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.
  • The House of Representatives passed House Bill 282, which authorizes the Department of Corrections (DOC) to establish a medical assistance (i.e., Medicaid) reentry program for incarcerated individuals who are scheduled to be released and returning to the community. The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.
  • The House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee met on Monday, June 2 for a public hearing on House Bill 1310, which establishes a minimum budget adjust factor (BAF) floor at $0.90 for skilled nursing facilities. A recording of the meeting is viewable here.
  • The Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee met on Tuesday, June 3 and favorably reported, among other bills, Senate Bill 583, which authorizes the state to enter the Social Work Licensure Compact, and Senate Bill 604, which authorizes the state to join the National Counseling Compact. A recording of the hearing is viewable here.
  • The House Health Committee met on Tuesday, June 3 and favorably reported the following bills. A recording of the meeting is viewable here.
    • House Bill 425, which establishes a J-1 visa waiver primary care physician grant program.
    • House Bill 583, which requires the Department of Human Services to establish a benefit package for dental services for Medicaid.
    • House Bill 1460, which provides for more oversight of health care entity merger and acquisition activities.  
  • The House Human Services Committee met on Wednesday, June 4 and favorably reported two suicide prevention related bills, House Bill 415 and House Bill 564. A recording of the meeting is viewable here. 

The state House and Senate will return to Harrisburg next Monday, June 9 through Wednesday, June 11 for voting session.

Department of Human Services 

  • The Department of Human Services (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 medically tailored meals, will take place on June 16 at 1:00 p.m. Find additional information and registration details here.
  • The Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (OHMSAS) has announced it will pause the implementation of OMHSAS-25-02 Voluntary and Involuntary Commitment Forms for 90 days in response to concerns raised by stakeholders. In addition to giving providers the opportunity to update electronic health records and print new forms, OMHSAS will use the time to continue to receive and respond to stakeholder questions and to schedule Q&A sessions. 
  • DHS has issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for organizations to provide community health worker services to reduce barriers to care for individuals living within the North Philadelphia Health Enterprise Zone (HEZ). The HEZ was established in 2017 and encompasses 15 zip codes in the region. Up to six selected organizations can receive up to $500,000 per year for two years to increase CHW capacity and deploy innovative care management programs within the HEZ. Applicants shall be a 501(c)(3) charitable organization or have an association with a national charitable organization. However, applicants may not be owned, operated, or controlled by a hospital, institution of higher education, or managed care organization (MCO). For more information, see the RFA here.

Department of Health

The Department of Health (DOH) has launched a public survey looking for feedback on and suggestions for improving women’s health care across the commonwealth. The 10-minute survey is open through July 7 and focuses on women’s preventive health care, like health screenings, birth control, pregnancy care and mental health services.

DOH has announced it will make copies of the proposed Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grant Application for Federal Fiscal Year 2025 available for public review. The department has also announced it will hold a virtual public hearing on June 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. to receive public input on the block grant application. Find additional information in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.  

Independent Regulatory Review Commission  

The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) has announced it received the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) regulation regarding the transition to the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM). IRRC will consider the regulation at its June 26 public meeting. 

Revenue Collection Update 

The Department of Revenue has announced that Pennsylvania collected $3.2 billion in General Fund revenue in May, which was $66.3 million, or 2.0 percent, less than anticipated. Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $42.7 billion, which is $262.5 million, or 0.6 percent, above estimate. 

Around the State  

  • The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has published an article about an event Pennsylvania Democrats held on the Capitol steps in Harrisburg this week to caution against the potential impact of the budget reconciliation bill currently being considered in Congress. 
  • An article published by City & State Pennsylvania has detailed the current home health workforce challenges and how Pennsylvania’s aging population may exacerbate those challenges. 
  • The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has written an article about pharmacists’ call for additional regulation of pharmacy benefit managers amid increasing closures of pharmacies across the state. 

Stakeholder Meetings

Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board – June 16

The Department of Aging has announced the Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board will hold a virtual meeting on Monday, June 16 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Find information on how to participate in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice. 

Patient Safety Authority – June 17

The Patient Safety Authority has announced it will hold a meeting of the Authority’s board on Tuesday, June 17 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually and is open to the public. Find additional details on how to participate in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

DOH – Preventative Health Services Block Grant Advisory Committee – June 17

The Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grant Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, June 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The purpose of the meeting is to present the Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Workplan and budget information. Find additional details and information on how to participate in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.