A Busy End to January in Harrisburg

There’s been no shortage of legislation on the move this week in Harrisburg. The Pennsylvania Medical Society has been keeping tabs on issues involving IMGs, institutional licensing, and amending the Pennsylvania state constitution: 

• House Bill 245 – Introduced by Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R – Luzerne), HB 245 amends the Medical Practice Act reducing the required number of years International Medical Graduates (IMGs) must spend in residency to become licensed from 3 years to 2 years. Currently, US and Canadian graduates are held to a 2-year requirement. PAMED is supportive of this legislation.  Result: The Senate Appropriations Committee reported HB245 as committed. It will now head to the Senate for final consideration. 

• House Bill 253 – Introduced by Rep. Clint Owlett (R - Tioga), HB253 allocates $225 million to health care workforce. These funds will be used to help retain and recruit health care personnel as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to place strain on our hospital systems. The bill also establishes a task force examining the impact that the opioid crisis has on children in the Commonwealth. Result: Gov. Wolf signed HB253 into law on Wednesday, January 26. 

• House Bill 1420 – Introduced by Rep. Wendi Thomas (R – Bucks), HB1420 directs the Secretary of Human Services to create a public awareness campaign promoting mental health resources available to first responders, health care workers and their families suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PAMED is supportive of this legislation. Result: HB1420 is headed to Senate Appropriations Committee after second consideration in the full Senate. 

• House Bill 1862 – Introduced by Rep. Keith Gillespie (R – York), HB1862 preserves a COVID-19 regulatory waiver allowing health systems to utilize physicians with institutional licenses throughout the system’s facilities. Currently, the Medical Practice Act allows for physicians to have institutional licenses at no more than two facilities. PAMED is supportive of this effort to amend the Medical Practice Act.  Result: The House Professional Licensure Committee reported the bill from with a unanimous vote. HB1862 is now awaiting consideration by the full House. 

• Senate Bill 956 – Introduced by Sen. Judy Ward (R – Blair), SB956 would amend the Pennsylvania State Constitution to prohibit the use of Medicaid funds for abortions in Pennsylvania. Efforts to amend the state constitution require adoption of the language in two consecutive legislative sessions, then approval by voters in the Commonwealth through a referendum. PAMED is opposed to this legislation.  Result: The Senate Health & Human Services Committee reported the bill from committee along a party line vote (7-4). SB956 will now head to the full Senate for second consideration.