PA Health Policy Update for February 14
The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from February 10 – 14. (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents).
Governor Shapiro 
Governor Shapiro has announced his administration filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s freeze of federal funding. Despite court orders to release the federal funds and the Shapiro administration’s engagement with Pennsylvania’s federal representatives, state agencies remain unable to access $1.2 billion in federal funding, with an additional $900 million requiring an undefined review by federal agencies before it can be received. Find the full complaint here.
The Shapiro administration has published its semi-annual agenda of regulations under development or consideration across the various state agencies under the governor’s jurisdiction, including the Departments of Health and Human Services. Find the comprehensive regulatory agenda in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
General Assembly
The state House of Representatives and Senate will begin hearings on Governor Shapiro’s FY 2025-26 budget proposal next week. The House Appropriations Committee’s full hearing schedule is viewable here and the Senate Appropriations Committee’s full hearing schedule is viewable here.
Following are the health-related agency budget hearings scheduled for next week.
- The Department of Health will appear before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, February 19 at 1:00 p.m. in Hearing Room 1 of the North Office Building.
- The Department of Health and the Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs will appear before the House Appropriations Committee on Friday, February 21 at 10:00 a.m. on the House floor. The hearing will be livestreamed here.
Department of Health
The Department of Health (DOH) has issued a Health Advisory (PA-HAN 784) with guidance on Influenza A subtyping for hospitalized patients.
Independent Fiscal Office 
The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) has announced that it updated the commonwealth’s budget deficit projections based on new spending data, largely for the Department of Human Services, included in Governor Shapiro’s FY 2025-26 Executive Budget. The revised deficit projection for FY 2025-26 is $6.0 billion under current laws and policies. Find the full report here.
Around the State
- Spotlight PA has written an article about a study commissioned by the state’s Insurance Department that found health insurers’ provider directories commonly had errors that went uncorrected for extended periods of time.
- New Castle News has published an article about the proposed investments in hospitals included in Governor Shapiro’s FY 2025-26 budget proposal.
- Writing for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Harold Brubaker has continued to cover challenges related to the bankruptcy of Prospect Medical Holdings, the parent company of Crozer Health in Delaware County.
- WESA has published an article about a federal judge’s decision to temporarily halt proposed funding cuts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that could have a detrimental impact on the state’s life sciences sector.
Stakeholder Meetings
DHS – Consumer Sub-MAAC – February 26
The Consumer Subcommittee of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) will hold a public meeting on February 26 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually. Click here for additional information.
DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – February 27
The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) will hold a public meeting on February 27 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held virtually. Click here for additional information.
DOH – HIV Planning Group – March 12
The Statewide HIV Planning Group will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, March 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Thursday, March 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in person and virtually. Find additional information and details on how to participate in this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
Three special elections were held this week to fill vacancies in the state House of Representatives. Matt Gergley (D) was elected to represent the 35th legislative district, where he will take the seat formerly held by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis. Abigail Salisbury (D) was elected to represent the 34th legislative district, replacing former Representative Summer Lee, who was elected to Congress in November. Joe McAndrew (D) was elected to represent the 32nd legislative district, filling the seat left vacant by the death of Tony DeLuca. When the three members are sworn in later this month Democrats will have 102 seats in the House and Republicans will have 100 after Senator-elect Linda Schlegel Culver resigns her House seat to be sworn in to the state Senate.
Department of Health
Stakeholder Events