Articles

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.

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.

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.

Leaders from associations representing Pennsylvania health care providers and businesses released the following statement about implications that the Pennsylvania Superior Court’s ruling.

Spotted fever rickettsioses (SFR), including Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), are tickborne diseases commonly seen in PA in May through August.

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®)

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thank you to everyone who sent over 600 messages yesterday in response to the U.S. House of Representatives vote on proposed Medicaid cuts.

On Monday, July 7, 2025, Pennsylvania will become a full participant of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) and the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).

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.

Prior to the enactment of Act 140 of 2020, this Commonwealth was one of only four states that did not regulate pharmacy technicians.

The Drug Enforcement Administration proposes to permanently schedule the following three controlled substances in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA)...

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.