PAMED NEWS

The Department of Transportation (Department) proposes to amend § 83.4 (relating to seizure disorder). Currently, § 83.4 imposes a recall of the driver's license of a person who has a seizure disorder. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Statewide HIV Planning Group, will hold a public meeting in Harrisburg, PA on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

A late summer increase in COVID-19 activity in Pennsylvania is occurring. Based on national respiratory virus surveillance, test positivity for COVID-19 in PA has increased sharply in the past three weeks.

On August 20, 2025, PAMED joined the Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform (PCCJR) and 16 other concerned organizations in the filing of an amicus brief arguing to maintain fairness in the allocation of lawsuit judgment awards.

On Aug. 9, 2025, the Insurance Department published a notice in the PA Bulletin to clarify expectations for insurers and pharmacy benefit managers around prescription drug access in light of the Rite Aid Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and store closures.

The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) received regulation 16A-5146 State Board of Nursing Opioid Prescription and Education and Organ Donation Education. This regulation updates certified registered nurse practitioner (CRNP) continuing education to include requirements for pain management, identification of addiction, and prescribing/dispensing of opioids.

In accordance with Executive Order 1996-1, all agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction publish semi-annual agendas of regulations under development or consideration. The most recent agenda, current as of July 1, 2025, was published on Aug. 9, 2025.

The Department of Aging's Alzheimer's, Dementia and Related Disorders Advisory Committee will hold quarterly public meetings through August 2026.

Last week, the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) Board of Trustees convened a hybrid meeting at PAMED headquarters to address key organizational priorities and upcoming initiatives.

On July 28, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced it is inviting public comment to “better understand how consumers may have been exposed to false or unsupported claims about ‘gender-affirming care’ (GAC), especially as it relates to minors, and to gauge the harms consumers may be experiencing.” The 60-day comment period runs through September 26, 2025.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is requiring safety labeling changes to all opioid pain medications to better emphasize and explain the risks associated with their long-term use.

Recently, the Joint Underwriting Association (JUA), Pennsylvania’s medical liability insurer of last resort, generously shared with PAMED requested premium increased from select insurance providers. It is important to remember that these are requested increases, not approved increases. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has yet to respond to any of these requested increases.