PAMED News

This week the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation to establish the Family and Medical Leave Act, requiring employers to provide paid family and medical leave benefits.

This week saw movement in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on legislation establishing a statutory requirement that all hospital emergency departments be staffed 24/7 by an onsite physician.

The Health Care Cost Containment Council (Council) is required to publish a list of all special reports and data that have been prepared during the previous calendar year.

The Authority has recommended that the FY 2025-2026 surcharge assessment total $1.245 million.

Upcoming Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee and Renal Disease Advisory Committee meetings.

The Board of Trustees created the task force back in 2024 to study what role, if any, PAMED should play regarding physician unionization.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) celebrates its state-wide recognition of physicians for 2026 Doctors’ Day on Monday, March 30. PAMED received more than 100 nominations from the public, patients, and colleagues, recognizing physicians who have gone above and beyond in their care.

As Pennsylvania's General Assembly returns to session the week of March 23rd, an election-heavy 2026 calendar is expected to shape the legislative agenda, with PAMED actively engaged on key issues including midwifery licensing, maternal health, private equity, scope of practice, and AI in healthcare.

Regulation #18-486: Seizure Disorder Regulation, approved by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission on January 15, 2026, has amended PA Code 67, Section 83.4, which will become effective on March 28, 2026.

The Patient Safety Authority (Authority) was established through the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (MCARE) Act to collect, analyze and evaluate data regarding reports of serious events and incidents occurring in certain medical facilities and to make recommendations to reduce the number and severity of serious events and incidents.

The State Board of Pharmacy has published the patient income limits to participate in the Cancer Drug Repository Program (CDRP) in 2026.

On Monday, Federal District Judge Brian Murphy issued a preliminary injunction blocking implementation of the Trump administration’s pared-down list of recommended childhood vaccinations.

The PAMED Board of Trustees recently gathered for their annual retreat, spending dedicated time strengthening leadership, deepening collaboration, and building trust as a unified team.

In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Pennsylvania Medical Society is highlighting the leadership of three physicians serving in key roles on the PAMED Board of Trustees: Lorraine Rosamilia, MD, FAAD Board Chair; Ashley Wilkerson, MD Board Vice Chair; and Renee Frank, MD Board Secretary

The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) is holding a public meeting on March 19, 2026, at 555 Walnut Street, 8th Floor, Harrisburg, PA at 10 a.m. to consider the following proposed regulations:

The Health Care Cost Containment Council (Council) has scheduled the following meetings:

Hospitals that decide they may not provide emergency contraception due to a stated religious or moral belief contrary to providing this medication are required to give notice to the Department of Health (Department) of the decision.

The Statewide HIV Planning Group, established by the Department of Health (Department) will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

Under the current federal administration, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (U.S. DHS) has lifted restrictions that previously prohibited Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers from carrying out immigration enforcement actions.

Pennsylvania held special elections on February 24, 2026, to fill vacancies in the state House of Representatives.