The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from March 24 – 28.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

Special Election Update 

Two special elections occurred this week on Tuesday, March 25 to fill vacancies in the state House of Representatives and Senate. Democrat Dan Goughnour won the special election to represent House District 35, which was vacated after the passing of Representative Matt Gergely. His election sustains the Democratic one-vote majority in the House. In a surprising outcome, Democrat Jim Malone narrowly defeated Republican Josh Parsons to replace the Senate seat formerly held by Ryan Aument who resigned to work for U.S. Senator Dave McCormick. Malone’s election will narrow the Republican majority in the Senate to 27-23. 

General Assembly

The state House of Representatives and Senate convened for voting session this week. The following is an overview of selected health care-related legislative activity.

  • The House of Representatives passed a package of bills that seek to codify federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) patient protections in state statute.
    • House Bill 404, which enables an adult child to receive insurance coverage until age 26.
    • House Bill 535, which prohibits annual and lifetime coverage limits.
    • House Bill 618, which prohibits the denial of health insurance coverage due to pre-existing conditions.
    • House Bill 755, which maintains access to preventative health care services.
  • The House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee met on Monday, March 24 and favorably reported, in addition to other legislation, House Bill 372, which requires the Department of Aging to publicly release a compliance report on the Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs).
  • The House Labor & Industry Committee met on Tuesday, March 25 and favorably reported, among other bills, House Bill 926, which seeks to prevent health care workplace violence by placing several requirements on health care facilities.
  • The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, March 25 and favorably reported, among other bills, Senate Bill 347, which prohibits the implementation of safe injection sites throughout the commonwealth, and Senate Bill 326, which amends the Controlled Substance, Drug Device, and Cosmetic Act to automatically schedule a controlled substance when one is added by the federal government and removes the Secretary of Health’s ability to reschedule a controlled substance.

The Senate will reconvene on Monday, March 31 through Wednesday, April 2. The House of Representatives is now recessed until Monday, April 7. 

Department of Human Services 

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued an updated Pennsylvania Medicaid Managed Care Directory.

DHS has issued its report on Medicaid managed care enrollment in Pennsylvania for the month of February. 

Independent Regulatory Review Commission  

The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) has issued comments to the State Board of Nursing regarding its proposed rule on nursing education programs issued January 25, 2025. Find IRRC’s comments here.

IRRC has announced it received the following final form rulemaking which will be considered at its May 15 meeting.

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council 

The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) has announced the release of a report on Cancer Surgery Volume, giving stakeholders insight into cancer surgeries performed at hospitals and ambulatory/outpatient settings. 

Around the State  

  • The New York Times has written an article about Democrat Jim Malone’s surprising victory in a district that strongly supported President Trump in the 2024 election. Spotlight PA also published an article about this story. 
  • The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has written an article about a package of bills that passed the state House of Representatives this week codifying federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) protections in state statute.
  • Fox43 has published a piece about unions representing Pennsylvania nurses and their efforts to pass legislation addressing workplace violence. 

Stakeholder Meetings

DOH – Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Committee – April 24

The Statewide Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program (SPBP) Advisory Council will hold a public teleconference meeting on Thursday, April 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Find additional information and details on how to participate in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

DOH – Medical Marijuana Advisory Board – 2025 Meeting Schedule

The Medical Marijuana Advisory Board has provided notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin of its upcoming meeting dates. Meetings will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on each day listed in the Capitol Media Center, Room 1, East Wing, Harrisburg, PA 17126, with an option for board members to participate virtually.