Are you curious about what's happening with health care in the Capitol but don’t have time to keep up with the news?
The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) has prepared the table below, so that you can get a quick update on some of the key health care legislation that is being considered in Harrisburg. Follow the links to get more in-depth information.
The 2011-2012 session of the General Assembly will be filled with both challenges and opportunities for PAMED. Read
highlights from PAMED's 2011-2012 legislative and regulatory agenda.
| Bill | Description | Status |
Acupuncture treatment
(Senate Bill 628) | Would allow acupuncture treatment indefinitely if patient shows no symptoms of medical condition | Senate Consumer Protection Committee |
| Apology
(House Bill 495) | Would render private benevolent gestures by physicians to their patients inadmissible in court | Passed the House March 2, 2011; currently in Senate Judiciary Committee |
Concussions in Students Athletes
(Act 101, formerly Senate Bill 200) | Establish standards for managing concussions and head injuries in student athletes | Signed into law by Gov. Tom Corbett on Nov. 9, 2011. Effective July 1, 2012.
|
| Fair contracting | Would set minimum standards for physician reimbursement contracts with insurers | House Insurance Committee
|
Credentialing
(House Bill 1551) | Would streamline the physician credentialing process
| House Insurance Committee
|
HIV testing
(formerly Senate Bill 260, now Act 59) | Makes HIV testing part of routine medical care and updates state law law so it is consistent with CDC recommendations
| Signed into law by Gov. Tom Corbett on July 7, 2011. Effective Sept. 5, 2011.
|
Joint and several liability
(Formerly Senate Bill 1131, now Act 17)
| Addresses the issue of proportional liability. | Signed into law by Gov. Tom Corbett on June 28, 2011. |
| Lyme disease education and treatment standards
(House Bill 272) | Would increase professional and public education on Lyme disease and endorse a specific course of treatment | House Health Committee
|
Ophthalmic Surgery
(House Bill 838)
(members only)
| Would define ophthalmic surgery | HB 838 passed the House June 22, 2011, and now heads to the Senate. |
Pharmacist’s scope expansion
(Senate Bill 254)
(House Bill 817) | Would allow pharmacists to “inject” individuals under the age of 18 with any injectable medication including immunizations | House Licensure Committee |
Self referral
(House Bill 319) | Would limit physician self-referral | House Health Committee |
Tanning regulations
(SB 349)
(HB 369) | Would regulate tanning facilities and set age requirements for who may use them | SB 349 passed the Senate Oct. 31, 2011, and now heads to the House Health Committee. HB 369 is in the House Judiciary Committee.
|
Texting
(formerly SB 314, now Act 98)
| Bans reading, writing, or sending a message while driving, making any violation a primary offense.
| Signed into law by Gov. Tom Corbett on Nov. 9, 2011. Effective March 8, 2012.
|