Senate Committee Advances Health Care Legislation

Lawmakers continue work toward end of the 2021–2022 legislative session

October 18, 2022

The state Health and Human Services Committee today advanced a series of relevant proposals for the health care community, including initiatives related to pharmacy benefit contracts and oversight of staffing agencies that contract with long-term care facilities.

HAP is following a host of hospital legislative priorities as lawmakers wrap up business before a new General Assembly and new governor arrive in 2023. State lawmakers only have a few session days scheduled before the end of the 2021–2022 legislative session.

The bills advanced by the committee today included:

• Auditing pharmacy benefit contracts:  House Bill 1630, sponsored by Representative Jonathan Fritz (R-Wayne) would allow the state auditor general to review Medicaid managed care organizations’ subcontracts with pharmacy benefit managers.
• Long-term care staffing agency oversight:  House Bill 2293, sponsored by Representative Timothy Bonner (R-Mercer) would provide oversight of agencies that provide temporary staffing for long-term care providers.
• Medical Assistance funding:  Senate Resolution 352, sponsored by Senator Michele Brooks (R-Crawford), directs the Joint State Government Commission to study and issue a report on the criteria that determine the amount of Medical Assistance funding paid to drug and alcohol addiction treatment providers within the commonwealth.
• Expanded Medicaid coverage:  Senate Bill 359, sponsored by Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks), expands coverage for pregnancy-related and postpartum medical assistance for up to an additional 10 months. House Bill 293, sponsored by Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion), requires Medicaid coverage for FDA-approved anti-obesity medications.

The legislative proposals now move to the full Senate for consideration.

HAP continues to advocate for state legislation to support Pennsylvania hospitals and the communities they serve. This includes initiatives to bolster our behavioral health care system and prevent the return of venue shopping in medical liability cases. Learn more about HAP’s state advocacy agenda.

For more information, contact Heather Tyler, HAP’s vice president, state legislative advocacy.