The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from May 11 –May 15 (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents).
General Assembly
The following are healthcare-related bills or cosponsor memos released by legislators this past week:
- Rep. Greg Scott and Rep. Liz Hanbidge issued a co-sponsor memo for legislation to formally schedule Medotomidine as a Schedule III Controlled Substance.
- Sen. Tracy Pennycuick and Sen. Lisa Boscola circulated a co-sponsor memo for legislation to further streamline the prior authorization process for mental health treatments.
- Sen. Chris Gebhard released a co-sponsor memo for a resolution directing the Legislative Budget & Finance Committee to study the potential impacts of federal review of state-based essential benefit mandates implemented since the creation of the Affordable Care Act and potential future financial obligations to the Commonwealth that may result from federal action.
Primary Elections will be held on Tuesday May 19th along with a Special Election to fill the vacant seat in the 196th Legislative District in York County. The House and Senate will return on Monday June 1st.
Department of Health
The Department issued two Health Alert Network notices for an outbreak of measles in Lebanon County and guidance for healthcare practitioners related to hantavirus.
Department of Human Services
Check out DHS’ Human Services Helpers, on the Substack platform – a media platform for video, podcasts, etc. – that will cover updates on DHS programs, news from the agency, and how organizations and partners can help their communities.
DHS issued its June 2026 Remittance Advice Date for providers.
Federal Update
Click here for a review of this week’s federal activities.
CMS shared a unified guidance document for the EPSDT Program including guidance shared through the past few decades into one stop.