This Week in State Advocacy: 4 Things to Know

June 15, 2026

The House and Senate were in session last week. The House returns this week while the Senate stands in recess. As budget negotiations continue ahead of the June 30 deadline, lawmakers advanced several health care-related measures.

Here is what happened last week and what to watch for this week:

• House Health Committee:  This week, the committee is expected to consider legislation requiring hospitals to offer influenza vaccinations to certain inpatients before discharge during flu season (HB 2378) and legislation providing permanent state funding for Pennsylvania’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (HB 2621).
• Liability Expansion Legislation Advances:  The House Judiciary Committee advanced HAP-opposed legislation (HB 1913) that would allow attorneys to suggest specific dollar amounts for noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, before jury deliberations. The bill is now eligible for consideration by the full House. HAP continues to advocate against the measure. An Action Alert has been created to send a message directly to state representatives urging them to oppose the bill.
• Adult Protective Services Overhaul Moves Forward:  The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee advanced legislation revising Pennsylvania’s Adult Protective Services Act (HB 1611). While the bill aims to strengthen protections for older adults, HAP raised concerns regarding provisions that could create additional challenges for the health care workforce and providers. The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.
• Health Care Workforce Challenges Remain a Legislative Focus:  The Senate Labor and Industry Committee held a hearing on nursing workforce shortages and the role of private universities in developing Pennsylvania’s talent pipeline. As workforce challenges continue to impact hospitals and health systems across the commonwealth, improving workforce development remains a key HAP priority.