The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from June 5 – 9.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.) 

Medicaid Continuous Coverage Unwinding 

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is maintaining an online dashboard with Medicaid continuous coverage unwinding data. The data on this dashboard tracks the renewal process by county and zip code. Additional updates and resources about the Medicaid eligibility renewal process may be found here. 

General AssemblyHouse Chamber of the State House

The state House and Senate returned to Harrisburg for voting session Monday, June 5. The following are selected health-related proceedings.

  • The House Human Services Committee held a joint hearing with the House Veteran Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee Monday, June 5 on the next generation of emergency and mental health response. A recording of the hearing can be viewed here.
  • The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee held a voting meeting Monday, June 5 and considered the following bills and resolution:
    • HB 1184, which extends the Act 92 COLA moratorium until December 2025. The bill was reported as committed.
    • HB 1300, which adds a member of the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s Office to the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Council. The bill was reported as amended.
    • HR 77, recognizing the month of June 2023 as “Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania. The resolution was reported as committed.

A recording of the meeting can be viewed here.

  • The House Health Committee held a voting meeting Tuesday, June 6 to consider HB 106, the Patient Safety Act, which sets nursing staffing ratios and HB 754, which provides a standard notice to each nursing home resident and their designated representatives at the time of their admission into a nursing home facility that they have the option of having legal representation to assist with the application for Medicaid benefits. HB 106 was reported as amended along party lines and HB 754 was reported as committed. A recording of the meeting can be viewed here.
  • The Senate Health and Human Services Committee held a voting meeting Tuesday, June 6 and considered the following bills and resolution.
    • SB 514, which requires a blood screening for lead exposure of all children by the age of two. The bill was reported as committed.
    • SB 520, which addresses Medicaid coverage for Assisted Living Residences. The bill was reported as amended.
    • SR 120, which directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study on the financial impact to EMS providers due to non-reimbursement from Medicaid for “treat and release” services. The bill was reported as amended.

A recording of the meeting can be viewed here.

  • The Senate Health and Human Services Committee held a public hearing Tuesday, June 6 on Pennsylvania’s EMS crisis and long-term sustainability. A recording of the hearing can be viewed here.
  • The House Human Services Committee held a voting meeting Wednesday, June 7 to consider HB 1305, to establish funding for Pennsylvania’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. A recording of the meeting can be viewed here. 

The Senate now stands in recess until Monday, June 19. The House will return to Harrisburg Monday, June 12 for voting session. The following are selected health-related proceedings.

  • The House Insurance Committee will hold a voting meeting Monday, June 12 at 11:00am to consider HB 1050, requiring health insurers to cover preventive health care services without cost-sharing. The meeting will be held in Room 60 East Wing and will be live streamed here. The Insurance Committee will reconvene on Wednesday, June 14 to consider HB 1140, expanding access to contraceptives. The meeting will be held in Room B31 of the Main Capitol. 

Department of Health

  • The Acting Secretary of Health wrote to hospitals this week to explain that the Department of Health (DOH) order requiring hospitals to make daily reports of specific data regarding supplies and equipment, dated March 24, 2020, will be terminated effective June 9, 2023. CMS requirements for reporting will remain. View the secretary’s letter here.
  • DOH has issued updated guidance for health care settings on how to identify and report COVID-19 outbreaks originating within the facility.
  • DOH has issued a Health Advisory (2023 – PAHAN – 703) with currently available information regarding the status of the ongoing fungal meningitis outbreak and highlights interim recommendations for diagnosis and treatment.
  • DOH has issued a Health Advisory (2023 – PAHAN – 702) regarding poor air quality conditions resulting from wildfires in Canada and current weather conditions.
  • DOH has issued a Health Advisory (2023 – PAHAN – 699) regarding Pennsylvania’s 2023 West Nile Virus (WNV) season and notifying providers that the first WNV-positive mosquito pools of were identified in Delaware, Fayette, and York counties.

Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services (DHS) announced this week it has “completely eliminated [the] backlog of Medicaid provider enrollment and revalidation applications.” Additional information may be found in this press release.

DHS has released the minutes of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) meeting held on May 25, 2023. 

Stakeholder Events

Department of Aging – Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board – June 15

The Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board will hold a virtual meeting on Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Find additional information and details on how to participate in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee Meeting – June 22

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) will meet on June 22, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Individuals interested in participating may register here. 

DOH – Medical Marijuana Advisory Board – June 28

The Medical Marijuana Advisory Board will meet on June 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to discuss Medical Marijuana Program updates. Find additional information and details on how to participate in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

PID – 1332 Waiver Reinsurance Program Public Forum – June 28

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) has announced it is accepting public comment on its 1332 State Innovation Waiver Reinsurance Program beginning June 1 and ending June 30. PID will also hold an in-person forum for public comment on Thursday, June 28 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Find additional information and details on how to participate in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.