Legislative Week in Review

Pennsylvania's General Assembly concluded the bulk of its 2025-2026 legislative session this week. There are still two days scheduled in November, and it is possible we could still see movement on legislation but barring a surprise this week was the end of session. We saw a flurry of legislative activity, and lawmakers considered proposals affecting patient care, insurance coverage, professional licensing, and the health care workforce. Below is a look at several bills relevant to physicians and the patients they serve, what each proposed and where it stood at weeks' end.

Senate Bill 730: This bill would establish a statewide framework for Pennsylvania Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST). These medical orders reflect a patient’s treatment preferences and help guide care across settings, including during emergency medical response. The Senate passed the bill 49-0, but the House amended it to add liability provisions and sent it back to the Senate for concurrence. The Senate chose not to bring the amended bill up for a final vote.

Senate Bill 1334: The bill would amend the Medical Practice Act of 1985 to require medical imaging professionals, radiation therapists, radiologist assistants and trainees to be licensed by the Board of Medicine. The legislation establishes licensure qualifications and scope of practice, provides temporary licensure for trainees, and requires biennial license renewal. The Senate concurred in House amendments this week, and it now goes to the Governor for his signature.

Senate Bill 804: This bill would prohibit certain chemicals, including DEHP, from being intentionally added to intravenous (IV) bags and tubing. The House amended the bill to include provisions addressing PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam and protective equipment, along with additional support for fire and emergency medical services companies. The Senate passed the bill 41-8, and the House passed its amended version 203-0 on October 21. The Senate concurred in the House amendments 49-1, sending the bill to the Governor for his signature.

Senate Bill 115: Originally introduced to address workforce challenges in long-term care facilities, this bill was amended by the House to include provisions establishing a Pennsylvania False Claims Act. The amended bill would establish civil liability and penalties for false claims involving government funds, including health care payments, and allow private parties to bring certain lawsuits on behalf of the Commonwealth. The Senate passed its earlier version 47-3, and the House passed the amended bill 139-64. It returned to the Senate for concurrence but did not receive a final vote.

House Bill 1123: This bill would update insurance coverage requirements for colorectal cancer screening, including lowering the covered screening age from 50 to 45 and aligning covered tests with updated guidelines. It also includes coverage for a follow-up colonoscopy after a positive noninvasive screening test. The House passed it in 2025, and the Senate passed an amended version 50-0 in 2026. On October 21, the House concurred with the Senate amendments and passed the bill with a vote of 187-16.