Articles

The Department of Human Services (Department) proposed regulations to codify the minimum requirements for the issuance of licenses to provide emergency behavioral health crisis intervention services (crisis intervention services) to align with national best practices for crisis services.

PAMED has been informed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) that a provider has voluntarily surrendered their DEA license, which means the provider is currently unable to prescribe controlled substances.

The Insurance Department (Department) received questions concerning vaccine coverage in light of Federal actions relating to vaccine availability.

The Insurance Department (Department) received questions concerning vaccine coverage in light of Federal actions relating to vaccine availability.

The Federal Trade Commission invites public comment to better understand the scope, prevalence, and effects of employer noncompete agreements, as well as to gather information to inform possible future enforcement actions.

Earlier today, PAMED and the AMA picked up a win in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on a case in which we had partnered to submit an amici curiae brief. In Wunderly v. St. Luke’s Hospital, et al., a divided Supreme Court determined that the Mental Health Procedures Act had been properly applied to provide St. Luke’s Hospital with immunity from suit under the facts of the case.

PAMED joined 87 other organizations representing physicians, payers, and patients in signing a letter supporting the Physician-Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act (H.R. 2191/S.1390). This critical bipartisan and bicameral legislation offers an innovative and practical solution to the growing healthcare crisis devastating rural America.

The Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform (PCCJR) has released its guide to the upcoming Pennsylvania Supreme Court retention election.

Upcoming DOH committee meetings

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its immunization schedules to apply individual-based decision-making to COVID-19 vaccination and now recommends toddlers receive the varicella vaccine as a standalone immunization.

Pennsylvania Poison Centers are seeing increased call volume related to both kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) consumption. These products lack clinical safety data and put consumers at risk of significant harm, including toxicity and developing dependence.

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) and Penn State’s Douglas W. Pollock Center for Addiction Outreach and Research recently held a webinar titled Rewriting the Story: Talking About Substance Use Disorder With Care.

In March of 2025 we received a near 11th hour reprieve in the form of H.R. 1968 (2025) that provided the extension of telehealth flexibilities through September 30th, 2025. Many of us had hoped for a similar reprieve this time around, but, unfortunately, that has not come to pass as no additional legislation addressing telehealth was passed prior to the government shutdown.

During the shutdown, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expects slowdowns or suspensions of the following agency activities: (1) health care facility survey and certification, (2) policy development and rulemaking, (3) contract oversight, (4) outreach and education, and (5) beneficiary casework. CMS retains 53% of its staff to continue essential operations, while 47% of agency staff are being furloughed (i.e., temporarily on unpaid leave).

On September 5, 2025, the Trump Administration abandoned the defense of the federal noncompete ban, thereby killing the rule. The rule, if implemented, would have banned most noncompete agreements from employment contracts.

The transfer of $200 million from the Pennsylvania Joint Underwriting Association (JUA) to the general fund of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was completed on August 13, 2025. The $200 million consisted entirely of unspent premiums collected from Pennsylvania physicians and appreciation from investment of those funds.

Earlier this week, Senator Cris Dush (Cameron County) introduced Senate Bill (SB) 125. SB 125 is a Joint Resolution to provide amendments to the Pennsylvania Constitution to give the Pennsylvania General Assembly the authority to legislate venue and pass laws that can return common sense to venue selection in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) strongly supports vaccines and other evidence-based practices that protect public health and prevent disease.

As the national shortage of Penicillin G Benzathine (Bicillin L-A) continues, the Pennsylvania Department of Health recommends all medical providers prioritize the use of Bicillin L-A for treating women who are diagnosed with or suspected of having syphilis and who are pregnant.

Pfizer has agreed to implement measures designed to ensure Americans receive comparable drug prices to those available in other developed countries and pricing newly launched medicines at parity with other key developed markets.