Current Issues

• Venue Rule

  Description:

  PAMED and its coalition of stakeholders oppose changes to the location of where a medical liability case can be filed. Access to care issues and higher insurance premiums and health care costs are just two of the many possible impacts.

  The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) was directed to study the impact of a proposed Pa. Supreme Court venue rule change – which PAMED and its coalition of stakeholders vehemently opposes – that would allow medical liability lawsuits to take place outside of the county where the alleged malpractice occurred.

  If the current, commonsense venue rule is changed, this has real potential to return our state to the medical liability crisis of the early 2000s, decreasing access to care for patients and driving up health care costs.

  PAMED Position:

  PAMED and its coalition of stakeholders oppose proposed changes to where a medical liability case can be filed. Access to care issues and higher insurance premiums and health care costs are just two of the many possible impacts.

  Current Legislation: 

  House Bill 2660 – PAMED supports this Constitutional amendment that will strip the Supreme Court’s ability to establish venue and place the matter in the hands of the legislature. 

• Pharmacists Performing Immunizations

  Description:

  The temporary waiver issuing Pharmacists to perform vaccinations is set to expire on June 30th. The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association has been advocating for a permanent position for pharmacists to perform all vaccines for children. 

  PAMED Position:

  PAMED has been working in coordination with the PA Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the PA Academy of Family Physicians, POMA, and the PA Chapter of the American College of Physicians, an agreement has been reached to allow pharmacists to administer seasonal flu and COVID vaccines to their customers aged 5 and above. 

  Current Legislation:

  House Bill 2679, along with Senate Bill 511, contains the compromise language. At this time, it is uncertain as to what form of the legislation will be approved and sent to the Governor. 
  

• Prior Authorization

  Description:

  Long wait times for medication and treatment approvals by insurers often delay patient care. PAMED supports reform that increases transparency and curbs these delays.

  PAMED Position: 

  PAMED supports reform that increases transparency with medical insurers for medication and treatment approvals, which curb the delay of patient care. PAMED also supports national efforts to reform prior authorization, including being on an American Medical Association convened workgroup of 17 state and specialty medical societies, national provider associations, and patient representatives to develop best practices for prior authorization and other utilization management requirements by identifying the most common provider and patient concerns. 

  Current Legislation:  

  Senate Bill 225 – The bill is nearing the end of the drafting process and could be up for a Senate vote.

• Scope of Practice

  Description:

  Some things work better together – the health care team is no different. PAMED supports physician-led team based care and protecting the physician/patient relationship.

  PAMED Position:

  We support a physician-led, team-based approach to health care and oppose the independent practice of CRNPS. During the 2019-2020 legislative session, the PAMED Board agreed to support a 6-year pilot program that would collect data to measure the impact of independent certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs) in Pennsylvania’s designated primary care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). However, the nurses have since reneged on this deal, and are again seeking full independent practice through Senate Bill 25, which PAMED strongly opposes.

  Current Legislation: 

  SB 25 - Seeks to grant independent practice to CRNPs; PAMED opposes

• Physician Wellness

  Description:

  Physician burnout is a serious problem. PAMED supports improving the practice environment for physicians to help alleviate unnecessary stress.

  The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act was recently signed into law. The legislation aims to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. To read more about it, please go to https://drlornabreen.org/about-the-legislation/.

  PAMED Position:  

  Supports legislative proposals to help ease administrative burdens

  Current Legislation:  

  PAMED identifies physician burnout as a real and immediate problem. PAMED continues to advocate for legislative solutions to improve physician wellness. 

  Several bills to help address administrative hassles (e.g. HB1700 & HB1701: unfounded complaints against physicians)