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Jul 24, 2025, 12:01 PM
PAMPAC’s Mid-Year Update
As we head into the dog days of summer, PAMPAC continues working to increase physician engagement in the political process. As we have discussed previously, PAMED’s legislative advocacy efforts rely on the “behind the scenes” work PAMPAC does in the “political advocacy” space. Without a strong political voice, working to achieve legislative goals becomes increasingly more difficult.
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Jul 24, 2025, 09:36 AM
PHC4’s Cardiac Procedures Report
PHC4’s Cardiac Procedures Report, released today, displays results for six cardiac procedures performed in Pennsylvania acute care hospitals from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2023. This report displays hospital-specific ratings for in-hospital mortality, readmissions, extended postoperative length of stay, volume of cases, and average hospital charges.
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Jul 24, 2025, 09:24 AM
Proposed Medicare Rule Will Impact Payment Amounts
On July 16, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) offered a proposed rule concerning the physician fee schedule and other Medicare payment policies. The rule, if adopted, will take effect January 1, 2026.
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Jul 23, 2025, 11:12 AM
PAMED Joins Health Care Leaders on Statement Responding to Superior Court Ruling
Leaders from associations representing Pennsylvania health care providers and businesses released the following statement about implications that the Pennsylvania Superior Court’s ruling.
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Jul 22, 2025, 13:10 PM
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) and Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis (SFR) in Pennsylvania
Spotted fever rickettsioses (SFR), including Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), are tickborne diseases commonly seen in PA in May through August.
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Jul 21, 2025, 11:51 AM
Nationwide Pfizer Recall and Subsequent Stockout of Penicillin G Benzathine
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) was notified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals that there is a nationwide voluntary recall and subsequent near-term stockout of Benzathine Penicillin G (Bicillin L-A®)
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Jul 17, 2025, 14:35 PM
Superior Court Rules Unfavorably in Dajah Hagans v. Hospital
The Superior Court recently ruled unfavorably in Dajah Hagans v. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, et al., a case in which PAMED and the AMA partnered on an amici curiae (“friends of the court”) brief. The case concerns the treatment that J.H., a now-seven-year-old boy, received at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (“HUP”) at the time of his birth. Specifically, the plaintiff, J.H.’s mother, alleged that a delayed C-section and late administration of antibiotics caused major negative health consequences for J.H.
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Jul 17, 2025, 08:22 AM
Shaping Policy, Championing Voices: A Reference Committee Insider’s Take on HOD Resolutions
With the completion of his psychiatry residency at Thomas Jefferson University, Nathan Hoff, MD, MPH is not just looking ahead to his new role in adult outpatient psychiatry, he’s also reflecting on his journey on the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s (PAMED) Reference Committee.
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Jul 17, 2025, 08:09 AM
PHC4’s Financial Analysis of General Acute Care Hospitals
in Pennsylvania
PHC4 releases Financial Analysis – Volume One, today. The first volume of a three-part series of financial reports published annually by PHC4. Volume One displays financial information from general acute care (GAC) hospitals licensed in Pennsylvania during fiscal year 2024 (FY24).
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Jul 16, 2025, 11:21 AM
Department of Health Upcoming Meetings
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Jul 15, 2025, 00:00 AM
DEA Alert: New Scam Letters and Calls Target Medical Practitioners
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is warning registrants of new fraud schemes in which scammers impersonate DEA personnel and notify registrants that they are under investigation, presumably in an attempt to obtain personal information.
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Jul 10, 2025, 12:52 PM
International Doctors Continue to Face Visa Delays
In May, the U.S. State Department (Department) directed U.S. embassies and consulates to pause new student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa appointments to enhance their social media vetting. This pause was lifted on June 18, 2025, but some international doctors have not been able to secure a visa.
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Jul 10, 2025, 09:07 AM
State Board of Medicine Physician Assistant Regulation Update
The Board of Medicine (Board) issued out final regulations to effectuate Act 79 of 2021. Act 79 removed certain restrictions on physician assistant practice to provide greater autonomy in the practice of the profession.
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Jul 10, 2025, 08:59 AM
PA Department of Health Patient Advocacy Program Alert: Provider Arrest
PAMED has been informed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) that a telehealth provider has been arrested, which means patients may not have access to care.
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Jul 3, 2025, 14:46 PM
PAMED Statement on Congressional Action Affecting Medicaid and Medicare
Thank you to everyone who sent over 600 messages yesterday in response to the U.S. House of Representatives vote on proposed Medicaid cuts.
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Jul 3, 2025, 11:23 AM
Department of State Fully Implements Interstate Medical Licensure Compact and Nurse Licensure Compact
On Monday, July 7, 2025, Pennsylvania will become a full participant of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) and the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
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Jul 3, 2025, 10:50 AM
CDC Expands Access to RSV Shot
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endorsed recommendations made this in April by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to expand access to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination, as well as to add a new option for meningococcal vaccination.
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Jul 3, 2025, 10:25 AM
State Board of Pharmacy - Pharmacy Technician Registration
Prior to the enactment of Act 140 of 2020, this Commonwealth was one of only four states that did not regulate pharmacy technicians.
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Jul 3, 2025, 09:35 AM
DEA Placement of Three Specific Fentanyl Related Substances in Schedule I
The Drug Enforcement Administration proposes to permanently schedule the following three controlled substances in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA)...
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Jul 3, 2025, 09:08 AM
State Board of Nursing Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and Fees (proposed rule)
Currently, nurses who administer anesthesia in this Commonwealth are licensed as RNs and are authorized to administer anesthesia if properly educated with a graduate degree from a COA-accredited nurse anesthesia program, nationally certified by NBCRNA and the anesthesia is administered in cooperation with a surgeon or dentist.