Health Care

Senate Republicans are renewing their efforts to improve health care access and expand Pennsylvania’s health care safety net through the HealthNET PA legislative package.

HealthNET PA expands access to health care and medicine to 507,000 uninsured and low-income working Pennsylvanians. It utilizes information technology to control costs and reduce health care-associated infections, and provides expanded insurance options for employers and families.

Previously, Senate Republicans led the effort to give Pennsylvanians the ability to open tax-exempt Health Savings Accounts to cover health care costs, curb skyrocketing medical liability premiums that drive up health care costs, and integrate state and federal prescription drug plans for seniors.

Patient safety efforts launched in 2002 with passage of the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Act were further enhanced in 2007 by a new law that will help prevent, track and, ultimately, reduce the incidence of health care-associated infections.

Moving Pennsylvania toward a health care system that slashes costs through innovation, expands access and protects consumer choice remains a top priority of Senate Republicans.

Senate Approves Plan to Reduce Health Care-Associated Infections

The Senate approved a new law, Act 52 of 2007, sponsored by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-Delaware), that will help prevent, track and, ultimately, reduce the incidence of health care-associated infections.

Health care-associated infections (HAIs) affect an estimated two million Americans a year, with more than 100,000 dying from bacteria that are increasingly resistant to common antibiotics. Infections picked up in hospitals and other health care facilities add more than $8,000 to the cost of the average hospital stay and cause unnecessary health consequences.

Act 52 establishes the steps to be taken by state government agencies and health care facilities to identify and reduce infections. It requires hospitals, nursing homes and ambulatory surgical facilities to implement internal infection control plans that will improve the health and safety of patients and health care workers.

Pennsylvania hospitals, nursing homes, and ambulatory surgical facilities will be the first in the nation to report infections to the National Healthcare Safety Network, an internet-based surveillance system operated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that will co ordinate information, allowing Pennsylvania to develop effective tools to attack this problem in a measurable way.

New Law Provides Long-Term Care Insurance Incentives

A Senate bill has been signed into law to provide a strong financial incentive for consumers to invest in long-term care insurance and reduce financial costs to taxpayers.

Senate Bill 548, sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre), would create the Long-Term Care (LTC) Partnership Program, which would provide a financial incentive for individuals to buy LTC insurance, and orders the state Department of Public Welfare to file Pennsylvania’s state plan for LTC insurance with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by June 30th of this year. The measure is intended to give people the opportunity to protect their personal assets by buying the insurance. The Department of Public Welfare missed its self-imposed deadline to submit Pennsylvania’s plan to the federal government, which necessitated the legislation.

Under the current system, health care consumers are required to spend down 'their assets before taxpayer-funded Medicaid steps in to cover the expenses associated with long-term care. As a result, many individuals and families lose all of their assets well before they go into long-term care, and then taxpayers are forced to pick up the costs, which can be significant.

Licensing Standards Established for Assisted Living Facilities

For the first time, assisted living facilities will be licensed in Pennsylvania, defining such residences and the services that may be offered.

Act 56 of 2007, sponsored by Sen. Pat Vance (R-31), sets minimal standards for the regulation of the industry by the state Department of Public Welfare and supports the philosophy that individuals should be permitted to remain in a home-like atmosphere of their choice for as long as possible.

Although many personal care homes often refer to themselves as assisted living facilities, there currently is no official licensure category for this type of care. By creating this type of license, citizens will be able to determine what kind of services to expect and whether the setting will address their needs.

New Law Provides Staffing Flexibility

A package of bills recently became law that will give health care facilities more flexibility in staffing, allowing them to better use their resources and keep health care costs down.

The measures increase the number of physician assistants that may be supervised by a physician, and broadens the work that can be done by Certified Nurse Practitioners and nurse-midwives.

Nurses will be able to order certain medical equipment and care, make referrals for certain types of therapy and dietitian referrals, and perform other functions. Nurse-midwives will be able to prescribe, dispense, order and administer specific drugs.

Nurses play a vital role in providing quality health care, and expanding their scope of practice means physicians can spend their time more cost-effectively.

All of these changes include measures to protect patient safety.

Senate Passes Bill to Help Doctors, Hospitals Digitize Medical Records

The Senate approved legislation to help hospitals, doctor’s offices, and health care clinics create computerized systems to better diagnose and treat patients.

Currently, 90 percent of health care data information is exchanged via telephone, fax, or mail. Senate Bill 8, sponsored by Senate Communications and Technology Committee Chairman Rob Wonderling (R-Montgomery), would enable grant recipients to receive up to $1 million in matching funds to purchase health information technology, help pay the costs and expenses associated with implementation, and train personnel in the use of the new system.

In addition to improving health care quality and reducing costs, Senate Bill 8 would help make the medical process more convenient for consumers. Patients would be able to get their lab results sent to their home computer, prescription drugs could be renewed with a click of a button, individuals could receive medical advice from their doctor over the internet, and parents could print out their child’s immunization records at home.

Senate Acts Help Uninsured Cancer Patients Get Access To Medication

The Senate passed legislation to establish a cancer drug repository in Pennsylvania to help uninsured patients and those in need gain access to safe, unused cancer medications. Cancer patients who are uninsured or underinsured could access these medications through a network of participating pharmacies and medical clinics.
The American Cancer Society has stated that unused cancer medication is a valuable resource for low-income patients.

Under Senate Bill 638, sponsored by Sen. Rob Wonderling (R-Montgomery), a health care facility, health clinic, hospital, pharmacy or physician’s office could return unused drugs. Only medications in their original, sealed, and tamper-resistant packaging would be accepted and dispensed.

Senate Approves Legislation to Improve Access to Dental Care

The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland) to address the needs of Pennsylvanians without access to routine, preventive dental services.

Currently, the Commonwealth requires professional dental services to be delivered by or under the supervision of a dentist. There is an acute shortage of dentists willing to treat individuals on Medical Assistance and as a result, these individuals often only receive dental care when it is absolutely necessary. By allowing dental hygienists to provide preventive and routine care, Pennsylvania would prevent health problems related to poor dental care.

Senate Bill 455 would allow public health dental hygiene practitioners to provide services within their current scope of practice, in specified institutions such as nursing homes, schools, mobile dental units and correctional facilities without the supervision of a dentist. The dental hygiene practitioner would have to be certified by the State Board of Dentistry as having completed 3,600 hours of practice under the supervision of a licensed dentist and have a malpractice policy.

Senate Passes Bill to Post Personal Care Facility on Web

The licensure status of facilities caring for the elderly and disabled would be available via the Internet under legislation approved today by the Senate

Senate Bill 811, sponsored by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland), would require the creation of a website with licensing and certification information on nursing homes, personal care homes and domiciliary care homes. This data would include information on violations of statute or regulation by the facility and any corrective action taken.

The state Department of Public Welfare disclosed earlier this year that 73 percent of personal care homes in the state have not been inspected on time.

Vance Legislation Reauthorizing Health Care Cost Containment Council Heads to Governor
Legislation reauthorizing the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) until 2014 is on its way to the governor's desk after the bill unanimously passed the Senate today, said prime sponsor Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York).
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"Mini-COBRA" Bill Headed to Governor
Legislation creating a "Mini-COBRA" health insurance plan in Pennsylvania is headed to the Governor for enactment following Senate approval today, according to Senator Don White (R-41) prime sponsor of the Senate version of the measure.
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Erickson: "Alarmist and Inaccurate" Statements Impede Budget Process
Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee Chairman Ted Erickson (R-26) challenged the state Health Secretary's claims that the Senate-approved state budget plan "threatens the health of millions of Pennsylvanians."
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Senator White Issues Statement on CHIP Funding
Senator Don White, (R-41) Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, issued the following statement reaffirming the Senate Republican Caucus's commitment to Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program.
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Senator Corman's Health Care Measure Headed to Governor
Legislation introduced by Senator Jake Corman (R-34) to extend health care coverage for young adults under their parents' insurance plans is headed to the Governor for enactment into law following the House of Representatives' approval (192 to 2) of the measure. The Senate unanimously approved the bill on March 25.
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Banking and Insurance Committee Approves Health Care Bills
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee today approved two bills that include provisions of the HealthNET PA legislative package introduced by Senate Republicans, according to Committee Chairman Senator Don White (R-41).
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Senate Approves Browne's Volunteer Education Bill
The Senate today approved legislation introduced by Senator Pat Browne (R-16) that would credit volunteer time by health care professionals toward their continuing education requirements.
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Senate Approves Senator White's "Mini-COBRA" Bill
The Senate today (April 1) approved Senate Bill 442, a measure introduced by Senator Don White (R-41) intended to improve health care access, affordability and coverage.
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Committee Approves Browne's Volunteer Education Bill
The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee approved legislation introduced by Senator Pat Browne (R-16) that would credit volunteer time by health care professionals toward their continuing education requirements.
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Senators Tout Plan to Boost Community Health Care
State Senator Lloyd Smucker (R-13) and Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) held a news conference today at SouthEast Lancaster Health Services as part of an effort to improve health care access and expand Pennsylvania's health care safety net through the HealthNET PA legislative package.
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State Senate Unanimously Endorses Senator Corman's Bill To Extend Insurance Benefits to Young Adults
The State Senate today unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Senator Jake Corman (R-34) that would extend health insurance coverage to adult dependent children up to the age of 30.
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Senate Approves Legislation Reauthorizing Health Care Cost Containment Council
The Pennsylvania Senate passed legislation authored by Sens. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York) and Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) reauthorizing the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4).
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Senate Appropriations Committee Approves HealthNET PA Bills
The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved three bills in the HealthNET PA legislative package intended to improve health care access and coverage, according to Committee Chairman Senator Jake Corman (R-34).
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Committee Approves HealthNET Bills to Expand Access to Community Health Care, Physicians, Medicine
Legislation that would expand access to community health care, physicians and medicine across Pennsylvania was approved by the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee.
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Senate Panel Approves McIlhinney Prescription Assistance Legislation
The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee unanimously approved legislation that would expand prescription drug access for low-income Pennsylvanians.
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Banking and Insurance Committee Approves HealthNET PA Bills
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee today approved three bills in the HealthNET PA legislative package intended to improve health care access and coverage (Senate Bills 442, 443 and 189) and two mortgage reform bills (Senate Bills 170 and 171), according to Committee Chairman Senator Don White (R-41).
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Erickson, Browne Visit Allentown Health Clinic
Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee Chairman Ted Erickson (R-26) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Pat Browne (R-16) visited Sacred Heart Hospital’s Sigal Center for Family Medicine in Allentown today as part of the effort to improve health care access and expand Pennsylvania's health care safety net through the HealthNET PA legislative package.
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Senate Majority Leader Pileggi, Senator Eichelberger Visit Altoona Medical Center to Discuss Plan to Boost Community Health Care
State Sen. John Eichelberger (R-30) was joined by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) today at an Altoona medical center as part of their effort to improve health care access and expand Pennsylvania's health care safety net through the HealthNET PA legislative package.
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Senate Majority Leader Pileggi, Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee Chairman Erickson Visit Medical Center to Discuss HealthNET Plan
Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) and Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee Chairman Ted Erickson (R-26) visited Crozer-Chester Medical Center today as part of their effort to improve health care access and expand Pennsylvania's health care safety net through the HealthNET PA legislative package.
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Senate Republicans Urge Action on Plan to Boost Community Health Care, Cut Costs
Senate Republicans today renewed their call to improve health care access and expand Pennsylvania's health care safety net through the HealthNET PA legislative package.
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Senator White's Statement on Blues Recommendations
Senator Don White, (R-41 and Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee) issued the following statement today (November 20) after his committee approved its recommendations to the Department of Insurance regarding the proposed merger of Highmark and Independence Blue Cross.
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Senate Acts to Help Uninsured Pennsylvanians
The Senate today unanimously approved and sent to the House of Representatives two bills aimed at expanding options for Pennsylvanians without medical insurance coverage.
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- Sen. Don White
- Sen. Corman

Committee Acts to Help Uninsured Pennsylvanians
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee today approved two bills aimed at expanding health care options for Pennsylvanians with coverage, according to Committee Chairman Senator Don White (R-41).
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Committee Sets Hearings on Merger Recommendations
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will hold two public hearings in the upcoming weeks to take testimony prior to developing its recommendations on the proposed merger of Highmark Inc. and Independence Blue Cross, according to Committee Chairman Senator Don White (R-41).
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Committee Approves Erickson’s Community-Based Health Care Program
The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26), today unanimously approved a major piece of a comprehensive health care package designed to improve and expand health care access and affordability in Pennsylvania.
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- Sen. Erickson
- Sen. Baker

Testimony of Senator Don White Before the State Insurance Department/Blues Merger
Commissioner Ario, distinguished panelists, I would like to open by thanking you for the opportunity to present my views and concerns regarding the proposed merger of Highmark and Independence Blue Cross. As Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, I have a number of concerns about the potential impact this extraordinary merger would have on all aspects of healthcare in Pennsylvania.
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Governor Signs House Bill 1150
Governor Ed Rendell today signed House Bill 1150, a measure to require insurance companies to provide coverage for autism services and colorectal cancer screening and to provide state oversight of proposed mergers involving non-profit health insurance companies, according to Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
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Orie: Senate Endorses Bill to Expand PA's Newborn Screening Program
The state Senate today approved legislation that would expand Pennsylvania’s Newborn Screening and Follow-up Program to include 29 “core” genetic conditions that are serious but treatable if caught early, according to Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny).
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Sen. Orie Co-Chair of the Autism Caucus Votes for Landmark Legislation providing for Autism Insurance Coverage
Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) today hailed passage of landmark and national model legislation that would require Pennsylvania insurance companies, for the first time, to cover treatment for a wide spectrum of autism disorders. House Bill 1150 passed the Senate with a bi-partisan vote of 49 to 1. If signed into law, it would be one of the strongest insurance mandates for autism yet achieved in the nation.
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Sen. Orie Champions Approval of Landmark Legislation Providing for Autism Insurance Coverage
Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) today hailed passage of landmark and national model legislation that would require Pennsylvania insurance companies, for the first time, to cover treatment for a wide spectrum of autism disorders. House Bill 1150 passed the Senate by a vote of 49 to 1. The Governor has indicated his support and intention to sign this legislation into law. It will be one of the strongest insurance mandates for autism yet achieved in the nation.
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Blues Oversight Bill Headed to the Governor
Legislation providing for state oversight of proposed mergers involving non-profit health insurance companies received final legislative approval today and is headed to the Governor for his signature and enactment into law, according to Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
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Senate Approves Tomlinson Amendment To Cover Screening for Colorectal Cancer
The Senate today approved legislation that would ensure more Pennsylvanians are screened for colorectal cancer according to Senator Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks), who was the prime sponsor of the original bill.
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Senate Approves House Bill 1150
The Senate today approved House Bill 1150, a measure to require insurance companies to provide coverage for autism services and colorectal cancer screening and to provide state oversight of proposed mergers involving non-profit health insurance companies, according to Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
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Committee Approves Blues Merger Oversight Bill
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee today approved a bill to provide state oversight of proposed mergers involving non-profit health insurance companies and to require insurance companies to provide coverage for autism services and colorectal cancer screening, according to Committee Chairman Senator Don White (R-41).
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Clean Indoor Air Act Passes Senate
HARRISBURG - Today, health advocates, cancer fighting organizations, and thousands of Pennsylvanians waiting to breathe free, celebrate the final passage of Senate Bill 246, the Clean Indoor Air Act, making Pennsylvania the 28th state to enact a comprehensive smoking ban that prohibits smoking in most public places and workplaces.
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Senate Republicans Announce Health Care Package to Improve Access and Affordability
Senate Republicans announced a comprehensive health care package designed to improve health care access and affordability by building on approaches that are working and doing it in a fiscally responsible way.
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Senate Passes Erickson Bill to Stabilize Mental Health/Mental Retardation Funding
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26) to establish consistent support for community mental health and mental retardation services was approved by the state Senate today.
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Governor Signs Legislation to Create Cancer Drug Repository
Governor Edward G. Rendell signed legislation (SB 638) introduced by state Senator Rob Wonderling (R-24th) to establish a cancer drug repository in Pennsylvania to help uninsured patients and those in need gain access to safe, unused cancer medications. Cancer patients who are uninsured or underinsured could access these medications through a network of participating pharmacies and medical clinics.
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Senate Approves Baker Bill to Improve Review of Child Deaths
The state Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senator Lisa Baker aimed at increasing child safety in Pennsylvania. The bill would implement a child death review program to coordinate local teams to examine the circumstances surrounding deaths of individuals under the age of 21.
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Senate Majority Policy Committee Holds Hearing on Affordability of Healthcare
- Part 1 (running time 1 hour 13 minutes)
- Part 2 (running time 1 hour 22 minutes)

Committee Holds Public Hearing on DPW Pharmaceutical Carve-Out Proposal
The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26), held a public hearing today on the state Department of Public Welfare's proposal to carve pharmaceutical services out of its managed care programs.
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- Part 1 (running time 56 minutes)
- Part 2 (running time 1 hour, 16 minutes)
- Sen. Erickson

Second Hearing on Health Centers and Care for Low-Income and Uninsured Pennsylvanians
As part of the ongoing effort to make quality health care more accessible in Pennsylvania, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-Delaware), will hold a second public hearing tomorrow on the role that health centers play in providing care for low-income and uninsured Pennsylvanians.
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Committee Exploring Health Centers and Care for Low-Income and Uninsured Pennsylvanians
As part of the ongoing effort to make quality health care more accessible in Pennsylvania, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-Delaware), is examining the role that health centers play in providing care for low-income and uninsured Pennsylvanians.
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Senator Corman: Affordability in Health Care is Key to Greater Access
As the governor and Legislature begin negotiations on this year's state budget, one of the key areas of debate will be health care.
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Senate Republicans Urge House to Consider One-Year Extension to MCare Abatement Program
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25), Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9), and Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Chairman Don White (R-41) today called on House leaders to consider legislation which would extend Pennsylvania's MCare abatement program for one year.
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Uninsured Pennsylvanians: Sen. Corman Discusses the Rendell Administration’s Plan
In January 2007, Governor Rendell first introduced his Prescription for Pennsylvania that included the Cover All Pennsylvanians health care plan. While sounding nice, the details left many with the feeling that CAP would be a bitter pill to swallow. In fact, over a year has passed and as more information comes out about the plan, the harder it is to swallow.
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Senator White Comments on House Democrat Health Care Plan
Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, issued the following statement in response to the House Democrat health care proposal passed by the House of Representatives today.
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Uninsured Pennsylvanians: Who are the Uninsured? Sen. Jake Corman notes that 8% of Pennsylvania residents are without health insurance and fewer than 4% lack access to private insurance, and advocates measures that will lower the cost of health care so everyone who wants coverage has access.

Sen. Corman's Floor Remarks

Uninsured Pennsylvanians: Breaking Down the Numbers
Addressing the Senate on Monday, Public Health and Welfare Committee Chairman Ted Erickson (R-26) broke down the numbers of Pennsylvanians without health insurance and outlined an approach to increase access to coverage.
On Tuesday, Sen. Jake Corman (R-34) explained the $6.3 billion Pennsylvania spends to provide health insurance to those without it, and the need to reduce health care costs.
- Sen. Erickson
- Sen. Corman

Capital Blue Cross: Merger Would End Most Competition
The proposed merger of Highmark and Independence Blue Cross (IBC) would effectively end health care insurance competition in most of Pennsylvania, Capital Blue Cross CEO and President Anita Smith told the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
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Clock Strikes Twelve for MCARE Abatement
Midnight on December 31 not only caps off 2007, but marks the end of a program that Pennsylvania instituted to help health care providers in high-risk fields meet their state-mandated medical malpractice insurance requirements, according to Senator Don White (R-41 and Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee).
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Senate Again Approves Bill Extending MCARE
Senator Don White (R-41 and Chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee) hailed the passage of another bill to extend the MCARE program, which provides a financial safety net to help Pennsylvania's health care providers cover their medical malpractice insurance costs.
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Sen. Don White
Sen. Pileggi
Sen. Corman

Statement of Senator Don White:
Raiding the MCARE Fund is not a "Healthy" Answer
Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, issued the following statement in response to the Governor's plan to raid the state's MCARE fund to pay for his universal health care proposal.
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Senate Approves Senator White's Bill Extending MCARE
The Senate approved Senate Bill 1137, a measure introduced by Senator Don White (R-41) to extend the MCARE program, which provides a financial safety net to help Pennsylvania’s health care providers cover their medical malpractice insurance costs.
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- Sen. Don White
- Sen. Rafferty

"Blues" Merger Must be Part of Fall Legislative Agenda
Following on the heels of a very strident clash over the state budget this year, Governor Ed Rendell has laid out a rather extensive agenda of issues he would like the General Assembly to consider this fall.
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Corman's Long-Term Care Insurance Incentive Bill Signed Into Law
Legislation written by Senator Jake Corman (R-34) that would provide a strong financial incentive for consumers to invest in long-term care insurance and reduce financial costs to taxpayers was signed into law by the Governor.
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Legislation to Ease Barriers to Routine Dental Care Heads to Governor, Vance Says

Legislation to improve access to routine, preventive dental care has been sent to the Governor after the House approved Sen. Pat Vance's (R-Cumberland/York) bill.
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Vance Legislation to License Assisted Living Facilities Sent to Governor

Assisted living facilities would be licensed under legislation the Senate sent to the Governor, said Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York), who is the prime sponsor.
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Erickson Bill to Reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections Heads to Governor

The state Senate passed and sent to the Governor legislation sponsored by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26) to reduce the number of healthcare‑associated infections in the Commonwealth. Senate Bill 968 will establish the steps to be taken by state government agencies and healthcare facilities to prevent, track, and reduce infections.
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Committee Approves Another "Blues Merger Oversight"

Reacting to the legislative inertia of the Rendell Administration, the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee approved yet another bill intended to provide state oversight of proposed mergers involving non-profit health insurance companies, according to Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
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Senator Wonderling Legislation to Create Cancer Drug Repository Passes Senate

The Pennsylvania Senate passed legislation (SB 638) to establish a cancer drug repository in Pennsylvania to help uninsured patients and those in need gain access to safe, unused cancer medications. Cancer patients who are uninsured or underinsured could access these medications through a network of participating pharmacies and medical clinics.
(full story)

Vance Legislation to Improve Access to Dental Care Passes Senate

The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York) to address the needs of those without access to routine, preventive dental services.
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Senate Passes Vance Bill Addressing Inspection Backlog

The licensure status of facilities caring for the elderly and disabled would be available via the Internet under legislation approved by the Senate, said prime sponsor Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York).
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Senate Approves Erickson Plan to Reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26) to reduce the number of healthcare‑associated infections was approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 968 would establish the roles of state government and healthcare facilities in reducing the incidence of infections.
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Orie And Dinniman Introduce Legislation To Maximize Pennsylvania's Use Of Tobacco Settlement Funds
State Senators Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) and Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester) announced the introduction of legislation which would implement the recommendations of a Senate Select Committee regarding Pennsylvania’s use of tobacco settlement funds.
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Senate Approves Corman's Long-Term Care Insurance Incentive
The state Senate this week unanimously approved a bill sponsored by Senator Jake Corman (R-34) that would provide a strong financial incentive for consumers to invest in long-term care insurance and reduce financial costs to taxpayers.
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Senate Sends Amended Blues Merger Bill Back to House
The Senate approved House Bill 112, legislation to provide state oversight of proposed mergers involving non-profit health insurance companies, and sent the amended bill back to the House for concurrence, according to Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
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Greenleaf Smokefree Workplace Bill Approved by Committee
The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee moved forward legislation sponsored by Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf to provide smokefree workplaces and public places in Pennsylvania.
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Orie Again Introduces Legislation to Reform Pennsylvania's Medical Liability System
Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) announced the re-introduction of legislation that would provide demonstration grants to hospitals and affiliated physicians for the development and implementation of alternatives to litigation for resolving disputes.
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