Advocacy Correspondence: PA House of Representatives, HAP Neutral on House Bill 79

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May 13, 2025

SUBJECT: HAP is Neutral on House Bill 79

Dear Members of the House of Representatives:

The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), on behalf of 235 members across the commonwealth, writes regarding House Bill 79 which is scheduled for a final vote in the House on Tuesday, May 13.

House Bill 79, Printer’s No. 1326, would establish the Hospital-Based Financial Assistance Act requiring the Department of Health—with input from the hospital community—to develop a uniform financial assistance application, eligibility template, and statement of availability for use and distribution in hospitals across the commonwealth. The legislation would also require hospitals to provide financial assistance-related information at intake and discharge from a hospital.

While House Bill 79 introduces new requirements at a time that hospital staff are facing significant operational challenges, HAP appreciates the collaboration with the prime sponsor of the legislation and committee staff in developing compromise language included in the current version of the legislation that takes into consideration financial assistance programs in place and currently offered by hospitals. The language reflects a thoughtful effort to balance policy objectives with existing hospital financial assistance practices. HAP is neutral on House Bill 79, Printer’s No. 1326.

Please feel free to reach out to me or Sarah Lawver, HAP’s senior director, state advocacy, if you have any questions.

Respectfully,

 

Arielle Chortanoff
Vice President, State Advocacy

 

 

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Topics: State Advocacy

Revision Date: 5/13/2025

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