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

Governor Shapiro 

Governor Shapiro has announced that all $2.1 billion in Congressionally-appropriated federal funding identified in the administration’s lawsuit against the federal government has been unfrozen. 

General Assembly

• The state House of Representatives and Senate continued their hearings on Governor Shapiro’s FY 2025-26 budget proposal this week. The following are the health-related agency budget hearings that occurred this week.

• The Department of Aging appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, February 25. A recording of that hearing is viewable here.

• The Department of Aging also appeared before the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, February 27. A recording of that hearing is viewable here.  

• The House of Representatives and Senate will continue budget hearings next week. The Department of Human Services will appear before the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, March 4 and the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, March 5. The House Appropriations Committee’s full hearing schedule is viewable here and the Senate Appropriations Committee’s full hearing schedule is viewable here. 

• The House Health Committee has scheduled an informational meeting next week on Monday, March 3 at 1:00 p.m. to explore the practice of community health workers. The meeting will be held in Room 60 of East Wing.

• The House Human Services Committee has also scheduled a meeting for next week on Wednesday, March 5 at 10:00 a.m. in Room G-50 of the Irvis Building to consider the following bills.  

• House Bill 269, which requires the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs, to develop opioid overdose public education materials. 

• House Bill 640, which updates the annual reporting requirements for the Department of Drug & Alcohol Protections.

• House Bill 749, which requires the Department of Human Services to conduct a study of Pennsylvania’s SNAP payment distribution. 

Department of Human Services 

• The Department of Human Services (DHS) has published a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin announcing its intent to allocate funds in FY 2024-25 for a new supplemental payment to qualifying rural hospitals in a county of the fourth, fifth, six, seventh, or eighth class. The total amount of funding available (state and federal) is $36.7 million. Find additional details in the bulletin notice.

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

• DHS has published a Provider Quick Tip (176) to inform presumptive eligibility providers that the income guidelines used to determine presumptive eligibility for pregnant women have been updated effective January 1, 2025.

• DHS has also issued an updated Provider Quick Tip (121) to remind all enrolled provider types who dispense hearing aid supplies to Medical Assistance (MA) beneficiaries to submit a copy of their renewed Department of Health certification to MA Provider Enrollment by March 16, 2025. 

Department of Health 

The Department of Health (DOH) has announced the 2024-25 MCARE surcharge letters and invoices will be emailed to nursing home administrators on or about March 3. Included in each email attachment will be a statement with the amount due to DOH by June 1, 2025. 

Around the State  

• The Philadelphia Inquirer has published an article detailing the $20 million Crozer Health’s independent receiver, FTI Consulting, is receiving.

• WESA in Pittsburgh has written an article about Medicaid cuts being considered in Congress and their potential impact on Pennsylvania. CBS News similarly covered this story.

• Private equity’s role in the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia health care markets are the focus of an article published by WHYY. 

Stakeholder Meetings

DHS – LTSS Subcommittee – March 7

The Department of Human Services (DHS) Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee will hold a public meeting on Thursday, March 7 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting is being held virtually. Find additional information and details on how to participate here.