State House Passes Health Care Mergers and Acquisitions Bill

June 10, 2025

The state House today passed legislation to increase the Pennsylvania attorney general’s oversight of health care-related transactions involving for-profit and investor-owned entities.

The chamber passed House Bill 1460 with a 121-82 vote, sending it to the Senate for consideration.

In a letter to representatives Monday, HAP had advocated for changes that align state oversight with federal requirements that govern nonprofit hospital transactions. The letter noted that such changes would support the intent of the legislation while avoiding unintended consequences of discouraging routine transactions, joint ventures, and partnerships that aim to preserve access to health care in communities.

“Strong hospitals are a cornerstone of thriving communities and healthy local economies,” the letter said. “It is the priority of HAP to ensure hospitals remain financially stable, accessible, and open to provide care to individuals and families throughout the commonwealth.”

On Monday, the House adopted a pair of amendments supported by HAP, including adding a “clear and convincing” standard to the attorney general’s determination of a transaction considered to be “against the public interest,” and clarifying the allocation of costs accrued during the attorney general’s investigation process. However, representatives narrowly voted down an amendment that would have made the changes to align with federal requirements.

HAP remains opposed to the legislation but is committed to remaining engaged in the legislative process and looks forward to continued conversations to further refine the language to reflect the complexity of health care transactions while ensuring access to care in communities.

For more information, contact Arielle Chortanoff, HAP’s vice president, state advocacy, or Sarah Lawver, HAP’s senior director, state advocacy.