State Legislative Roundup: Lawmakers Advance Several Health Bills

October 10, 2024

With only a few days left in the legislative session, the Pennsylvania General Assembly this week advanced several bills addressing the health care workforce, maternal health, insurance coverage, and changes in state agencies.

Here’s what you need to know:

The workforce

Legislation related to the health care workforce advanced, including House Bill 155, sponsored by Representative Benjamin Sanchez (D-Montgomery), which passed both chambers and is headed to the governor’s desk. The bill removes a requirement that face-to-face interviews for direct care professionals be conducted in person.

Senate Bill 668, sponsored by Senator Judy Ward (R-Blair/Fulton/Huntingdon/Juniata/ Mifflin), has been signed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and would allow for the opportunity for Certified Nursing Assistants to become certified medication aides through medication aide training established by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The legislation awaits signature in the Senate.

Additionally, House Bill 2294 and House Bill 2295, both sponsored by Representative Arvind Venkat (D-Allegheny), continued through the legislative process. The bills address the definition of a primary supervising physician, to allow physician assistants to more easily work with both doctors of medicine and doctors of osteopathic medicine.

Senate Bill 1080, sponsored by Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver was signed in the Senate, and would allow licensed practical nurses in the hospice setting to make death pronouncements.

Maternal Health

Two maternal health bills continued to advance.

On its way to the governor’s desk is House Bill 2127, sponsored by Representative Elizabeth Fielder (D-Philadelphia). The legislation allows for education and screening for postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, as well as the creation of a public awareness campaign by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.  

House Bill 1608, sponsored by Representative Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia), would extend Medicaid coverage for doulas and create a Doula Advisory Board. The legislation was amended and returns to the House for concurrence. HAP wrote in support of the bill in a letter earlier this month.

Notable

Other legislation that passed the General Assembly and awaits signature from the governor included:

• House Bill 2268, sponsored by Representative Brandon Markosek (D-Allegheny),  cleared the General Assembly, which requires insurance coverage for speech therapy for stuttering.
• Senate Bill 840, sponsored by Senator Rosemary Brown (R-Lackawanna/Monroe/Wayne), establishes the Alzheimer's, Dementia and Related Disorders Office and the Alzheimer's, Dementia and Related Disorders Advisory Committee within the Department of Aging.

Both the House and the Senate are expected to return to Harrisburg on October 21.  

For questions about these bills or HAP’s state advocacy, contact Stephanie Watkins, senior vice president, advocacy and policy.