The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from September 21 – September 25 (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

General Assembly

The House Judiciary Committee met on Thursday September 24th and voted favorably on the following healthcare-related bills: HB 2699, updating membership on the Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Committees; HR 618, commissioning a study on Behavioral Health Care in County Jails; and SB 381, legislation prohibiting testing and experimentation on animals in PA.

The House and Senate will return on Monday September 28th. The following healthcare-related bill activity has been announced:

  • Monday September 28
    • The House Children & Youth will meet to vote on HR 582, recognizing Childhood Cancer Awareness; HR 602, recognizing Infant Safe Sleep Month; and HR 609, recognizing Prematurity Awareness Month and Day.
    • The House Communications & Technology Committee will meet to consider HB 2637, a moratorium on AI Chatbots in children’s toys.
    • The House Human Services Committee will meet to vote on HB 1345, legislation requiring Medicaid Coverage of menopause treatments; HR 612, recognizing National Recovery Month; HR 613, recognizing Medium-Chain Acyl-Coenzyme A Dehydrogenase (MCAD) Deficiency; HR 615, and recognizing White Cane Safety Day; SB 115, Creating a competency exam pathway for direct care workers without a high school diploma or GED.
  • Tuesday September 29
    • The Senate Law & Justice Committee will meet to consider SB 1035, providing access to medical cannabis in healthcare facilities.
    • The House Health Committee will consider HB 1411, legislation enhancing menopause education for medical practitioners; HB 2657, regulating Kratom in PA; HB 2702, removing the sunset provision for the PA Health Care Cost Containment Council; HR 591, recognizing Community Health Workers; HR 597, recognizing Alopecia Awareness Month; HR 604, recognizing Suicide Prevention Month and Day; HR 605, recognizing Chiari Malformation Awareness Month; HR 616, recognizing Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month; and HR 625, recognizing World Cerebral Palsy Day
    • The House Consumer Protection, Technology, & Utilities Committee will meet to re-refer HB 2648, legislation prohibiting the changing of health insurance coverage terms within a contract year, to the House Insurance Committee.
    • The House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee will meet to consider HB 1244, coverage and education for Pelvic Floor treatments; HB 1346, providing for insurance coverage for menopause treatments; HB 1827, measures to prevent hip fractures; HB 2545, insurance coverage for vaginal estrogen and UTI prevention; and HR 623, recognizing Ageism Awareness Day.
  • Wednesday September 30
    • The House Professional Licensure Committee will meet to consider HB 2774, an omnibus licensure compact authorization; HR 631, recognizing Respiratory Care Week; SB 114, streamlining the Nurse Aide training and education requirements; and SB 1133, updating members of the State Board of Pharmacy.

The following are healthcare-related bills or cosponsor memos released by legislators this past week

  • Reps. Jen O’Mara & Bridget Kosierowski issued a co-sponsor memo for legislation to enhance medical education around Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC).
  • Reps. Jason Ortitay and Joe Ciresi circulated a co-sponsor memo for legislation to prohibit AI Chatbots from posing as licensed professionals.
  • Reps. Heather Boyd and Jen Mazzocco released a co-sponsor memo for legislation to require companies that employ non-disabled, full-time workers receiving Medicaid to make payments to help offset Medicaid costs.
  • Sen. Lisa Baker circulated a co-sponsor memo for legislation to create a designation for a Rural Emergency Hospital to align with the federal designation.
  • Rep. Greg Scott introduced HR 627, which directs the Joint State Government Commission to study suicide prevention and data collection efforts and make recommendations for improvements.
  • Rep. Maureen Madden introduced HR 628, which is a resolution designating September 2026 as Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) Month.
  • Rep. Steve Malagari released HR 631 which would designate Respiratory Care Week in PA.
  • Rep. Melissa Shusterman introduced HB 2787, which would establish guardrails and protections around the use of AI in students’ mental and behavioral health services. 

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.

In their Medicaid Toolkit, DHS released information on changes to the retroactive coverage window for Medicaid recipients which take effect January 1st, how recipients can prepare, and how and where to find more information on the changes.

The Department issued its annual list and total amount notice of Disproportionate Share Payments for qualifying hospitals.

DHS has submitted final-form regulations for its Chapter 5100 Regulations to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission for its review.

Department of Health

The PA Health Alert Network is moving to a new platform so current users are encouraged to register with the new platform here to continue to receive alerts.

DOH announced on Wednesday, September 23, that 835 measles cases have been confirmed across 39 counties in Pennsylvania so far in 2026.

DOH issued minimum standard requirements of sexual assault evidence collection.

The Department issued a PA Health Alert Network advisory to assist providers with guidance in preparation for the upcoming respiratory virus season. 

PA Insurance Department

Late last week, the Department released its approved ACA health insurance premium rates, seeing increases of 15.9% in the individual market and 10.2% increases in the small group market.

PA Health Care Cost Containment Council

PHC4 released its Financial Analysis 2025 – Volume Two, providing an overview of the financial health and procedure volumes for surgeries performed at ambulatory surgical centers in PA. 

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.