The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from June 8 –June 12 (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

Budget Update

Budget season is underway in Harrisburg as the legislature advanced and positioned several budget-adjacent bills that are needed to pass along with a final budget bill. Recent reporting noted that negotiating parties have traded proposals and begun discussions. In addition to the encouraging revenue returns, the House passed a proposed 5% digital ad sales tax proposal 139-63 as another potential measure to help address the Commonwealth’s fiscal picture. 

General Assembly

The House and Senate were in session from Monday to Wednesday and provided the following actions:

• Monday, June 8th
  • The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously advanced both SB 866, which would set Medetomidine as a Schedule III Drug, and HB 1442, which places additional requirements on coroners to ensure epilepsy death reporting accuracy.
  • The House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee advanced HB 1611, a comprehensive update to the Older Adult Protective Services Act by a vote of 17-9.
  • The House passed HB 916, which updates childhood blood lead testing guidelines, by a vote of 157-44.
• Tuesday, June 9^th
  • The House Human Services Committee held an informational meeting on Complex Care Assistant Programs for home care services to hear potential benefits and concerns from both families and providers.
  • The Senate Health & Human Services Committee voted unanimously in favor of SB 1352, legislation providing for multi-year licensure for addiction treatment providers; SB 1373, expanding National Provider Identifier number requirements for Medicaid providers; and SB 730, legislation to codify orders for life-sustaining treatment for patients.
  • SB 866, which sets Medetomidine as a Schedule III Drug, was passed 47-2 by the Senate.
  • In a 7-4 vote, the Senate Aging & Youth Committee passed SB 482, which would increase education and awareness provisions for the LIFE Program.
  • The Senate Institutional Sustainability & Innovation Committee advanced 10-1 SB 792, to increase the Research & Development Tax Credit program, and SB 1206, streamlining wholesale pharmaceutical manufacturer licensure, unanimously.
  • The House passed HB 836, which would preserve the right to utilize IVF in PA, by a margin of 147-55.
• Wednesday, June 10^th
  • The Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee unanimously passed SB 1133, which would update membership of the Board of Pharmacy, and  SB 1334, which proposes additional regulations and oversight of medical imaging and radiation therapy, by a margin of 12-2.
  • The House Health Committee held a public hearing on HB 2270, which would require PA to utilize a single pharmaceutical benefit administrator model for the Medicaid program. DHS staff noted that the proposal would be unlikely to save Commonwealth dollars or provide a benefit to struggling independent pharmacies.

The House returns to session on Monday June 15^th while the Senate will return on Monday, June 22^nd.

For the upcoming week, we anticipate the following healthcare-related activity:

• Wednesday, June 17^th
  • The House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee & Human Services Committee will hold a joint hearing on the “In Lieu of Services” pilot program.
  • The House Health Committee will meet to consider HB 2379, legislation to expand Flu vaccine offering requirements from age 65 to age 50; HB 2621, which would fund the Department of Health Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS); and HR 528, a resolution to require a study on PANS & PANDAS.

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

• Rep. Emily Kinkead circulated a co-sponsor memo to introduce legislation proposed by Gov. Shapiro to count out-of-pocket pharmaceutical costs towards patient deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.
• Rep. Brenda Pugh issued a co-sponsor memo for legislation requiring PA’s professional licensure boards to establish profession-specific regulations governing the use of AI by licensed professionals.
• Rep. Kyle Mullins released a co-sponsor memo for legislation requiring insurers to cover all FDA-approved Alzheimer’s treatments.
• Sen. Michele Brooks introduced SB 1373, which would broaden the requirement for providers to have an individualized National Provider Identifier (NPI) number.
• Rep. Kinkead also introduced HB 2611, which would create criminal liability for insurance company executives in the case of serious injuries or deaths caused by adverse benefit determinations.
• Rep. Bridget Kosierowski introduced HB 2613, which would require insurance coverage for wheelchair maintenance and repairs and HB 2614, legislation to prohibit DEHP in IV bags and medical equipment tubing.
• Rep. Melissa Shusterman introduced HB 2621, which would fund the Department of Health Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). 

Independent Fiscal Office

The IFO issued two releases this week. The first release provides an update to Medical Assistance (MA) enrollment and funding in Pennsylvania. As of April 2026, 2.95 million residents were enrolled in MA programs, at a projected fiscal year (FY) 2025-26 cost of $53.9 billion in state and federal funds. MA enrollment declined from 3.05 million (April 2025) to 2.95 million residents (April 2026, -3.3%), while the Cost Per Enrollee ($000) increased from $16.2 to $18.3 (13%).

The second release provides a budget and economic update for the Commonwealth.  Slide 13 presents an updated financial statement, which includes a projected FY2026-27 structural deficit of -$5.56 billion, despite current fiscal year general fund year-over-year revenue growth of $2.29 billion (5.4%) through May 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.

In their most recent Substack update, DHS highlighted the beginning of the 2026 SUN Bucks Program, a federal program offering eligible children and families with a SNAP-like food benefit for the summer months when school is not in session. SUN Bucks provides a one-time payment of $40 per summer month ($120 total) per eligible child. Interested households can use the SUN Bucks Eligibility Navigator to see if they are eligible and can apply using the online application or application forms on the SUN Bucks webpage.

In response to federal requirements, the Department issued notice of a Temporary Moratorium on Enrollment of New Hospices.

DHS issued the following notices in the PA Bulletin:

• Changes to Supplemental Payments to Qualifying Hospitals – Making adjustment to some eligibility criteria
• Delay in Implementing Fee Schedule Rates for Supports Coordination Services and Targeted Support Management
• Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments to Qualifying Hospitals – Creating a new class of disproportionate share hospital payments promoting additional access for inpatient & outpatient services and supporting academic medical center programs & services.
• Disproportionate Share Payments and Supplemental Payments to Qualifying Hospitals – Making updates to some payment methodologies to allocate supplemental payments for hospitals with negative operating margins serving high-MA populations in high-need areas of the Commonwealth.
• School-Based ACCESS Program Payment Methodology Updates
• Supplemental Payments to Qualifying Hospitals – Creating a new class of supplemental payments for hospitals impacted by hospital closures in Delaware County.
• Supplemental Payments to Qualifying Hospitals – Creating a new class of supplemental payments for hospitals in Allegheny County that operate a level 1 trauma center, a comprehensive burn center and a nursing school.

The Department issued revisions to the Participating Drug Company list for the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program.

Stakeholder Meetings

The Patient Safety Authority will hold its board meeting on June 23^rd at 1pm.

DHS’ Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) will be host one remaining listening session on the 55 Pa. Code Chapter 5250 Crisis Licensing Regulations to provide a high-level summary of changes being made to the final form package based on the comments received and to gather provider perspectives on those specific areas. Those interested can register below.

• Monday, June 15^th from 1:00-2:00pm

DHS is hosting two public hearings to take public comment on the proposed LIHEAP state plan on June 25^th and July 2^nd, both from 10am – Noon.

DOH’s HIV Community Prevention & Planning Committee will hold public meetings on August 19^th from 9-12pm & August 20^th from 9-2pm.

The Department of Health’s Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on Thursday August 20^th from 10am- Noon. 

Federal Update

Click here for a review of this week’s federal activities.