The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from June 1 –June 5 (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents). 

General Assembly

The House and Senate returned to session on Monday June 1^st and provided the following actions:

• Monday, June 1^st
  • The House sent HB 2254, which allows limited medical cannabis access in healthcare facilities, to the Senate by a vote of 174-27.
• Tuesday, June 2^nd
  • The House amended HB 69, legislation creating a more formalized framework around unused cancer drug donation programs, by broadening out the bill to all pharmaceutical drugs.
  • The House Health Committee approved HB 2162 by 25-1 with an amendment, legislation to streamline wholesale pharmaceutical state licensure; HB 2341 by 20-6 with an amendment, which would create a Health Care Facility Threat Assessment Grant Program. These bills have advanced to the full House for consideration.
  • The Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee unanimously advanced SB 866, which would set Medetomidine as a Schedule III Drug.
• Wednesday, June 3^rd
  • The House unanimously passed HB 69, unused prescription drug repository legislation, sending the bill to the Senate for consideration.

For the upcoming week, we anticipate the following activity:

• Monday, June 8^th
  • The Senate Appropriations Committee will consider 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 will meet to vote on HB 1611, a comprehensive update to the Older Adult Protective Services Act.
• Tuesday, June 9^th
  • The House Human Services Committee will hold an informational meeting on Complex Care Assistant Programs.
• Wednesday, June 10^th
  • The Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee will meet to consider 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.
  • The House Health Committee will hold a public hearing on HB 2270, which would require PA to utilize a single pharmaceutical benefit administrator model for the Medicaid program.

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

• Sen. Lynda Culver circulated a cosponsor memo for legislation that would require employment history reviews for positions requiring direct care of and contact with older adults.
• Rep. Bridget Kosierowski introduced HB 2583, which would increase reimbursement rates for durable medical equipment.
• Rep. Keith Harris introduced a package of three bills aimed at increasing prostate cancer prevention, education, and awareness efforts.
• Rep. Mary Jo Daley introduced HB 2605, which would codify an explicit right to access and use fertility treatments in PA.
• Rep. Justin Fleming released HR 551, commissioning a behavioral health crisis study
• Senator Michele Brooks formally introduced SB 1352, legislation providing for multi-year licensure for addiction treatment providers. 

Department of Health

The Department released updated guidance for clinicians for Hantavirus disease surveillance.

The Department issued interpretive guidance to clarify its expectations on the administration of anesthesia in hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities. This interpretive guidance is responsive to requests from the regulated community for clarity on what constitutes anesthesia and which health care providers can administer anesthesia 

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.

As part of these updates, the Department launched a new website to highlight the changes in Medicaid. This will be updated as new information is provided by CMS.

Independent Fiscal Office

Commonwealth revenues are beating projections by close to a billion dollars for the fiscal year. The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) released revenue projections for fiscal year (FY) 2025-26. May General Fund collections of $3.31 billion were $14 million (+0.4%) more than projected, while fiscal-year-to-date (FYTD) collections of $44.97 billion are $846 million (+1.9%) above estimate. (The comparable figures for the administration’s estimate released November 2025 are -$65 million (-1.9%) and $928 million (+2.1%)). Compared to the prior year, May collections were $73 million (+2.3%) higher and FYTD collections are $2.30 billion (+5.4%) higher.

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 hosting two Listening Sessions on the 55 Pa. Code Chapter 5250 Crisis Licensing Regulations. Sessions are intended 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.

• Session 1: Tuesday, June 9^th from 10:00-11:00am
• Session 2: Monday, June 15^th from 1:00-2:00pm

The Department of Health’s Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grant Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on June 10^th from 9am to 10am to receive testimony on the block grant application.

The Department of Health’s Newborn Screening and Follow Up Technical Advisory Board will hold a public meeting on June 11^th from 10am to Noon.

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. 

Federal Update

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