Advocacy Correspondence: PA House Health Committee, Support for House Bill 1234

June 16, 2025

Chairman Frankel, Chairwoman Rapp, and Members of the House Health Committee:

On behalf of more than 235 member hospitals and health systems, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) supports House Bill 1234, sponsored by Representative La’Tasha Mayes. This legislation would provide Medicaid coverage for home-use blood pressure monitors on a per-pregnancy basis.

With 97 percent of Pennsylvania births occurring in hospitals, our members are deeply committed to improving maternal and infant health. A strong example of this work is the Pennsylvania Perinatal Quality Collaborative, where 95 percent of the commonwealth’s 79 birthing hospitals engage in ongoing, shared quality improvement initiatives.

Pregnancy is a dynamic experience with health conditions that can change rapidly and require timely intervention. While Medicaid currently covers one blood pressure monitor every five years, that coverage does not account for the clinical realities of pregnancy. Monitors may degrade over time, and each pregnancy can bring different medical needs. Providing coverage on a per-pregnancy basis ensures that patients have access to accurate, appropriate at home tools during each individual pregnancy which complement in office clinical care.

This legislation is a positive step forward and HAP looks forward to continuing to work with the General Assembly to expand access to high-quality maternal health care.

Please vote yes on House Bill 1234.

In addition, HAP supports HB 1212 (Abney), the Dads Matter Act, and is neutral on SB 411 (Vogel), the Stroke System of Care Act.

Contact me or Sarah Lawver, HAP’s senior director, state advocacy, with any questions.

 

Sincerely,
 

Arielle Chortanoff
Vice President, State Advocacy

 

Download

Topics: State Advocacy

Revision Date: 6/16/2025

Return to Previous Page