The 2011-2012 Legislative Session will conclude in November 2012 with most legislative activity taking place January through June 30. HAP’s priorities include the following:

1. Protecting Medicaid - Over two million Pennsylvanians, including senior citizens, the disabled, and children, rely on Medical Assistance (MA) for their health care. Medicaid represents one of the largest components in the state budget. Because of a mid-year budget freeze and a pending deficit of approximately $500 million, Medicaid will be a target for cuts as work is done on the FY 2012-13 state spending plan.
2. Implementing of the new federal health reform law - Much of the implementation of the new law will happen over the next four years. Pennsylvania will have new programs, responsibilities, funding needs, and program changes. A high priority is legislation to create the health insurance exchange and legislation to expand the use of health information technology.
3. Enacting medical liability reform - A high priority is passage of apology/benevolent gesture legislation and retirement of the Mcare Fund.
4. Maintaining a strong workforce - Pennsylvania needs a regulatory environment that allows for flexibility in the workplace, removes barriers to care, and ensures accountability with patients and the public. HAP will oppose mandatory nurse-patient staffing ratio legislation and will support legislation to permit 8/80 staffing.
5. Improving physician and health care professional recruitment and retention - Pennsylvania faces a shortage of physicians and other health care professionals. As a result, health care professional recruitment and retention must be a high priority in order to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have access to health care services. A high priority is expansion of student loan programs for health care professionals.
6. Initiating regulatory redesign - Pennsylvania licenses thousands of health care facilities and tens of thousands of health care professionals. Rules determine how, when, and where health care is delivered in the commonwealth. A high priority is passage of legislation that would update state hospital licensure regulations (much of which date back to the 1980s) by using national accreditation standards.
7. Promoting health care as an economic driver - With statewide unemployment hovering near the highest levels in decades, hospitals are continuing to provide increased contributions to the state’s economy. In 55 of the 67 Pennsylvania counties, hospitals remain among the top five employers, providing family-sustaining jobs and solid benefits. Hospitals remain viable assets in their communities, where they can provide jobs and job growth opportunities, support other businesses, and stimulate economic activity.
8. Protecting free market competition for healthcare providers and insurers - The General Assembly is considering legislation to make changes to Act 94. HAP will oppose any legislation that threatens the integrity of the negotiating process between hospitals/health systems and insurers.