The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from November 9 – November 13 (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents).
General Assembly
The House met this week as it nears the end of its 2025-2026 Legislative Session. With all races called, Democrats will hold 114 seats and Republicans will hold 89. During their time in Harrisburg, House Democrats and Republicans chose their leadership teams for the new legislative session, as did Senate Democrats. Here are the results below, with those in new leadership positions bolded:
| House | ||
| Position | House Democrats | House Republicans |
| Speaker of the House | Joanna McClinton | N/A |
| Leader | Matt Bradford | Jesse Topper |
| Whip | Mike Schlossberg | Tim O’Neal |
| Appropriations Chair | Jordan Harris | Jamie Barton |
| Caucus Chair | Rob Matzie | Martina White |
| Caucus Secretary | Tina Davis | Clint Owlett |
| Caucus Administrator | Leanne Krueger | Marla Brown |
| Policy Committee Chair | Ryan Bizzarro | David Rowe |
| Senate | ||
| Position | Senate Democrats | Senate Republicans |
| President Pro Tempore | Jay Costa | N/A |
| Leader | Maria Collett | TBD |
| Whip | Steve Santarsiero | TBD |
| Appropriations Chair | Vince Hughes | TBD |
| Caucus Chair | Lisa Boscola | TBD |
| Caucus Secretary | Sharif Street | TBD |
| Caucus Administrator | Marty Flynn | TBD |
| Policy Committee Chair | Nick Miller | TBD |
The Senate will return on Tuesday November 17th with Senate Republicans holding their leadership elections to close out their session activities.
The House unexpectedly added an additional session day for Thursday Nov. 19th where it may consider a rare censure of one of its members, following unanimous passage of a censure resolution out of the House Rules Committee this week.
Department of Aging
The Department released a new hotline – 1-877-435-7014 – for consumers to report instances of suspected Medicare fraud.
Department of Health
DOH announced a total of 1,505 measles cases confirmed as of Wednesday, November 11th across 45 counties in Pennsylvania so far for 2026.
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.
DHS issued notice lifting the temporary moratorium on new hospice enrollments in the Medical Assistance Program upon the November 15th expiration of CMS’ six-month nationwide enrollment moratorium.
DHS’ Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) published a new resource for providers and advocates working with children and youth that lists the available behavioral health service categories and a matrix of possible funding through fee-for-service or behavioral health managed care. This was developed as part of the S.R. Settlement, which seeks to improve the systems serving dependent children with mental health disabilities.
Stakeholder Meetings
DHS’ Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) will host a series of youth suicide prevention trainings held on Tuesdays from 12-1pm beginning on September 29th and concluding in April 2027.
The Department of Health’s HIV Community Prevention Planning Committee will hold its public meetings on Wednesday, November 18th and Thursday, November 19th, both from 9am-2pm.
Federal Update
Click here for a review of this week’s federal activities.