Advocacy Correspondence: PA House Health Committee, Support for House Bill 2401, Home Health Care Regulatory Relief

March 23, 2022

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

FROM: Heather Tyler, Vice President, State Legislative Advocacy

SUBJECT: Support for House Bill 2401, Home Health Care Regulatory Relief

On behalf of more than 240 members statewide, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) expresses its support for House Bill 2401, sponsored by Representative Jeff Wheeland, which has been referred to and is awaiting action by the House Health Committee.

HAP strongly believes that all Pennsylvanians should be able to access high-quality health care when and where they need it. The premise behind HB 2401 is to make permanent two COVID- era waivers that proved to be effective in the provision of home health care.

The first provision allows certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNP) and physicians assistants (PA) to order and oversee orders for home health services. Allowing this activity on a permanent basis will modernize and align Pennsylvania’s licensure regulations with federal law. It also has the benefit of extending the reach of existing health care providers amidst the current workforce crisis as well as increasing patient access to home health care.

The second provision allows registered nurses (RN) to conduct supervisory visits remotely in certain, limited circumstances. The increased use of telehealth by patients is well documented and is of particular benefit to those who have mobility challenges. As with the first, this concept has also been updated at the federal level by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Pennsylvania’s regulations have yet to conform.

For hospitals and their patients, these provisions offer important pieces to solving the complex puzzle that is the health care workforce crisis. By extending licensed medical providers and alleviating these regulatory challenges, high-quality patient care can be maintained with a lower administrative burden to medical professionals and their facilities.

Thank you for your continued support of hospitals, health care providers, and the patients they serve. Please consider and vote yes on House Bill 2401.

 

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Topics: State Advocacy, Workforce

Revision Date: 3/23/2022

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