Public Health and Welfare Committee 04/02/08

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met on Wednesday, April 2, 2008, and unanimously reported out the following bill as amended:

SB 1132 - The legislation establishes the Statewide Public Cord Blood Banking Act, which would allow consenting cord blood donors to donate placental and umbilical cord blood following delivery.  Amendment A05281 was offered, which makes it so that the Department may promulgate regulations and establish fees for the administration of the act among other aspects.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 03/12/08

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, and unanimously reported out the following bills as committed:

SR 246 - The resolution designates April 16, 2008, as “Healthcare Decision Day” in Pennsylvania. 

HB 1320 - The bill establishes the Home-Generated Medical Sharps Disposal Act, which will implement the safe disposal of home-generated medical sharps.  

The following bills were reported out as amended:

SB 340 - The bill amends the Public Welfare Code for the reimbursement of payment for inpatient and outpatient consultations using interactive video teleconferencing. Amendment A06001 establishes that rates for telemedicine services will be the same as if they were provided in person.  

HB 883 - The legislation amends the Newborn Child Testing Act by listing additional diseases that newborn children will be tested for and receive follow-up services.  Amendment A06044 was technical and changed the effective date from July 1, 2008 to July 1, 2009.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 12/05/07

The Senate Public Health and Welfare met on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 and unanimously reported out the following as amended:

SB 387 (Corman) - The legislation amends the Vital Statistics Law of 1953 by requiring an issuance of certificate of stillbirth for any fetal death upon the request of a parent.  Amendment A04076 was offered which states that the certificate is not proof of a live birth.  

The committee unanimously reported out the following as committed:

SR 194 (Greenleaf) - The resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to establish a legislative task force with an advisory committee of experts on public health law to review, update and codify Pennsylvania’s public health law.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 10/17/07

The Senate Public Health and Welfare met on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 and reported out the following:

SB 774 (Armstrong) - This bill creates the Long-Term Care Patient Access to Pharmaceuticals Act.  Patients will have the ability to acquire lower costs drugs if they reside in a long-term care facility as well as the repackaging and relabeling of unit doses may occur. 

HB 874 (Hershey) - The bill, known as the Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Education and Donation Act, is to educate pregnant women regarding the potential benefits of umbilical cord blood banking and provide opportunities for the donation and storage of umbilical cord blood. 

Public Health and Welfare Committee 06/26/07

The Senate Public Health and Welfare met on Tuesday, June 26, 2007, and reported out the following bill as amended:

HB 1367  (DeWeese) - The legislation amends the Public Welfare Code by giving the criteria for payments to county and non-public nursing facilities, apply a revenue adjustment factor, the process to acquire medical certified beds and implement assessments to facilities.  This bill also establishes a Senior Care and Services Study Commission.  A senator offered Amendment A02046, which allows the Department to promulgate emergency regulations as well as requires the Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee in the Department of Public Welfare to conduct its meetings pursuant the state’s Sunshine Act.  The amendment and bill were reported out with a 10-0 vote.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 06/13/07

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee met on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 and took action as follows:

Reported as amended (9-1)

SB 968, PN 1160 (Erickson): This bill amends the act of March 20, 2002 (P.L.154, No.13), known as the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act, providing for reduction and prevention of health care-associated infection.

A technical amendment correcting a typo was adopted unanimously.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 05/22/07

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 and reported out the following bill:

Public Health and Welfare Committee 04/25/07

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met on Wednesday, April 25, 2007, and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Committed

SB 167 (A. Williams) The bill creates an intergenerational family care pilot program, which seeks to aid persons who are not the biological or adoptive parents in raising children.

SB 352 (Robbins) The bill creates a stand –alone act known as the Home Energy Assistance in Time of Need (HEAT ON) Act.

SB 638 (Wonderling) The bill creates the Cancer Drug Repository Program.

SB 704 (Vance) The bill amends the Public Code to regulate assisted living residence in the Commonwealth.

SR 31 (Wonderling) The resolution recognizes the Philadelphia Health Management Corp. as a Pennsylvania Public Health Institute.

SR 92 (Brubaker) The resolution designates the week of May 20, 2007, as MRSA Awareness Week.

Reported Out as Amended

SB 8 (Wonderling) The bill creates the Medical Safety Automation Fund Act.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 03/21/07

The Senate Public Health and Welfare met on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 and reported out the following bills:

SR 60, PN648:   The resolution urges the Rendell Administration and its Department of Public Welfare to continue to provide medical assistance health care through established voluntary managed care system until a comprehensive study and review of the change to a mandated Access Plus program is completed and full input is obtained from affected medical assistance consumers and health care providers.  Furthermore, an opportunity for public comment and legislative consideration take place before accountable measures are established.  The bill was reported as committed with a 11-0 vote. 

The Committee also unanimously reported out the re-nomination of Estelle B. Richman as Secretary of Public Welfare.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 03/14/07

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met Wednesday, March 14, 2007 and reported out the following:

SR 40:  The legislation recommends that the United States Congress reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, secure federal funding for Pennsylvania’s Children’s Health Insurance Program and that the Governor pursue CHIP expansion.  The resolution was reported unanimously.

The Committee also unanimously reported the re-nomination of Dr. Calvin B. Johnson as Secretary of the Department of Health.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 01/31/07

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met on Wednesday, January 31, 2007, and reported out the following bill:

SB 246 - This legislation establishes the Clean Indoor Air Act, which would protect public health and the environment by prohibiting smoking in public places and workplaces.  Furthermore, it defines what are considered public places as well as what actions will take place for violations of the act.  A 9-2 vote was recorded and it was reported as committed.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 10/16/06

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met on Monday, October 16, 2006 and unanimously reported out the following bills:

HB 2584 (Hershey) The bill provides for education for expecting parents on the potential benefits of umbilical cord blood and an opportunity for pregnant women to donate and store umbilical cord blood.

HB 471 (Reichley) The bill establishes the Cardiovascular Disease Advisory Committee and a statewide stroke database.

HB 1649 (True) This bill establishes the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Prevention Fund Act and allocates which departments will receive funding.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 10/03/06

The Senate Public Health and Welfare met on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 and reported out the following:

SB 990 – This legislation establishes the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act and lists the requirements of hospitals and health care facilities when assisting sexual assault victims.  Amendment A09641 was offered by Senator Corman and gives some exemptions to religious affiliated health care facilities.  A vote of 7-3 was recorded and reported as amended. 

SB 648 – This bill extends verification of a temporary or permanent physical or mental disability by a registered nurse practitioner or a physician assistant for exemption of employment or work-related activities.  A unanimous vote was recorded and the bill was reported as committed. 

HB2639 – This legislation gives further provisions for testing of a patient’s estimated glomerular filtration rate and requirements.  A unanimous vote was recorded and the bill was reported as committed.  

SR 343 – This resolution would establish November 2006 as “Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.”  A unanimous vote was recorded and the bill was reported as committed.  

SR 348 -  This resolution designates October 16 through October 22, 2006 as “Infection Prevention Week” in Pennsylvania.   A unanimous vote was recorded and the bill was reported as committed.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 06/29/06

The Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee met on Thursday, June 29, 2006, and took action as follows:

Reported Out As Committed

House Bill 2699 (Kenney) This bill authorizes and directs the Department of Public Welfare to establish and maintain a managed health care program for medical assistance recipients.  It also requires actuarially sound rates for certain managed care organizations, providing for the right of appeal and approval by the General Assembly of changes to the Commonwealth medical assistance plan, associated waivers and repealing inconsistent portions of other acts.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 06/20/06

The Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee met on Tuesday, June 20, 2006, and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Amended (unanimously)

Senate Bill 808 (Armstrong) This bill provides for long-term care patient access to pharmaceuticals and conferring powers and duties on the State Board of Pharmacy.

Amendment A8205 limits the repackaging and re-labeling requirements to pharmaceuticals obtained through the Veteran’s Administration.

Senate Bill 1116 (Wonderling) This bill amends The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for prohibited acts and penalties and providing for affirmative defenses, for exception and for reporting.

Amendment A8153 brings the limitations into compliance with recently enacted federal legislation and eliminates the affirmative defense.

Senate Bill 1121 (Robbins) This bill provides for a program to address the illicit manufacture of methamphetamines in underground laborites.

Amendment A7242 that eliminates references to funding from retailers and the authority of the Office of the Attorney General to utilize such funds and makes other technical changes.

Senate Bill 1045 (Vance) This bill amends the Public Welfare Code, providing for home infusion therapy to be available to all eligible recipients and adding a definition of “home infusion therapy.”

Amendment A8244 clarifies that home infusion services are a covered service for Medical Assistance recipients with prescription coverage.

House Bill 2202 (Reichley) This bill amends the Public Welfare Code, providing for home infusion therapy to be available to all eligible recipients and adding a definition of “home infusion therapy.”

Amendment A8243 clarifies that home infusion services are a covered service for Medical Assistance recipients with prescription coverage.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 06/13/06

The Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee met on Tuesday, June 13, 2006, and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Committed (unanimously)

Senate Bill 727 (Vance) This bill establishes the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Prevention Fund and provides for the deposit of a portion of the liquor tax into the fund and for use of fund.

Senate Bill 934 (Wonderling) This bill establishes the Medical Safety Automation Account and provides grants to implement medical safety automation systems.

Senate Resolution 241 (Orie) This bill establishes a select committee to review research and economic development initiatives made possible by the Tobacco Settlement Act to provide the Senate with recommendations on a vision for the future.

Senate Resolution 260 (D. White) This bill directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a comprehensive study and cost review of personal care home services in Pennsylvania, including the actual costs incurred to operate a personal care home.

Reported Out as Amended (unanimously)

House Bill 755 (Kenney) This bill amends the Newborn Child Testing Act, further providing for newborn child screening and testing and making editorial changes.

Amendment 7983 adds phenylketonuria (PKU), maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), sickle-cell disease (hemoglobinopahies), galactosemia, cogneital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and primary congenital hyperthyroidism to the program for the screening test of newborn children.  It also adds specific requirements for the Department of Health to abide by when testing newborns.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 04/03/06

The Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee met on Monday, April 3, 2006, and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Amended (unanimously)

House Bill 2443 (Killion)  - This bill amends the Health Care Facilities Act, providing for continuation of demonstration projects for cardiac care.

Amendment 7091 states that this bill amends the Health Care Facilities Act rather than the Public Welfare Code and allows for the Department of Health to require hospitals to participate in a study that is mutually agreeable to the hospital and the Department.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 03/28/06

The Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee met on Tuesday, March 28, 2006, and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Amended (unanimously)

House Bill 1591 (Tangretti)  - This bill amends the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act of 2002, extending patient safety standards to certain abortion facilities.

Amendment 6966 recognizes that licensed facilities pay surcharges and unlicensed medical facilities pay assessments.  It also establishes that the amount of assessments for abortion clinics will be based on the same methodology that is used to determine the surcharges for ambulatory surgical facilities.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 03/22/06

The Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee met on Wednesday, March 22, 2006, and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Amended (unanimously)

Senate Bill 997 (Erickson) - This bill amends the Public Welfare Code of 1967, further providing for medical assistance payments for institutional care.

Amendment 6296 clarifies language.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 03/15/06

The Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee met on Wednesday, March 15, 2006, and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Committed (unanimously)

Senate Bill 1006 (Erickson) - This bill provides for the allocation of funds to county mental health and mental retardation programs and for cost-of-living adjustments and for the promulgation of rules and regulations.

Reported Out as Amended (unanimously)

House Bill 1813 (Kenney) - This bill provides for the allocation of funds to county mental health and mental retardation programs, for cost-of-living adjustments and for the promulgation of rules and regulations.

Amendment 6295 strikes out the word “agency”.

Senate Resolution (Orie) - This Resolution directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to perform a study of cost control measures for the Medicaid program.

Amendment 6369 strikes out the dates February 15^th and June 1^st and replaces it with August 1^st and November 30^th of 2006.

Amended (unanimously)

Senate Bill 997 (Erickson) - This bill amends the Public Welfare Code of 1967, to further provide for medical assistance payments for institutional care.

Amendment 6296 was technical in nature.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 12/13/05

The Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee met on Tuesday, December 13, 2005, and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Committed (unanimously)

House Bill 801 (Harhart) - An Act authorizing and directing the Department of Health to establish a Cervical Cancer Task Force to evaluate and make recommendations for education, prevention and detection of cervical cancer.

Reported Out as Amended (unanimously)

Senate Bill 255 (Thompson) – This bill creates repeals to eliminate county boards of assistance and providing for an advisory board for county assistance.

Amendment 5140 added language for an advisory board for county assistance.

Senate Bill 819 (Orie) – This bill amends the Newborn Child Testing Act, further providing for newborn child screening and testing and making editorial changes.

Amendment 5055 includes metabolic, hormonal and functional conditions and adds language regarding screening.  This amendment removes certain conditions and the sum of $2,000,000 that was appropriated to the Department of Health.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 10/25/05

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met on Tuesday, October 25 2005, and unanimously reported out the following bills:

As committed:

SB 925 (Thompson)   The bill extends the sunset date to June 30, 2016 for the Pa Cancer Control, Prevention and Research.

As amended:

Public Health and Welfare Committee 06/30/05

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met on Thursday June 30, 2005, and unanimously reported out the following bill:

House Bill 1589 (Major): This bill expands the definition of rural hospitals to include the following:

• Hospitals that provide outpatient services;
• Hospitals located in a census tract with rural-urban commuting area codes 4 through 10 established by the United States Department of Agriculture;
• Hospitals designated as Medicare-dependent hospitals as of April 30, 2002 or critical access hospitals as of December 31, 2005;
• Hospitals with 50 of fewer beds that serve at a minimum 70% Medicare patient population and demonstrate service to individuals from federally designated health professional shortage areas including, but not limited to. Philipsburg Area Hospital and Mid-Valley Hospital.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 06/27/05

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met on Monday, June 27, 2005 and reported out the following bill unanimously:

House Bill 1168 (Habay): This legislation amends the Public Welfare Code to require nursing homes to be inspected at least twice annually for compliance with record-keeping requirements for Medical Assistance recipients’ funds.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 11/17/04

The Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee met on Wednesday, November 17, 2004, and unanimously reported out the following bills as committed:

House Bill 2270 (Vance) - This bill, the “Family Support for Persons with Disabilities Act,” would direct the Department of Public Welfare to establish and implement pilot projects supporting families of persons with disabilities.  The stated purpose of this legislation is to help families remain united and keep persons with disabilities in their homes and in the community, reuniting families when possible.  Upon completion of the pilot projects, the Department would evaluate and report on them, with statewide expansion in three months. 

House Bill 2980 (Dally) - This bill would amend the Local Health Administration Law, allowing “split municipalities” to join county departments of health and allowing the dissolution of a department of health with the vote of its governing body.  With respect to this law, the definition of “municipality” would include second-class townships.

The committee unanimously reported out the following bill as amended:

House Bill 1187 (Wansacz) – This bill would authorize the Department of Health to establish a task force to investigate toxic mold contamination and advise the Department.  Amendment A 4856 calls for the task force to “study the potential hazards” of toxic mold, rather than “investigate.” 
 

Public Health and Welfare Committee 9/27/04

On Monday, September 27, 2004, the committee met to consider one bill.

HB 2036 KENNEY The bill provides a statutory means through the use of a Mental Health Advance Directive for adults to have a voice in their mental health care. Amendment 3559 makes technical changes to the bill. The bill was reported as amended, unanimously.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 6/29/04

On Tuesday, June 29, 2004 , the Public Health & Welfare Committee reported out the following bills:

As Committed:

SB 1112, PN 1605 (M White)- This bill establishes a Board of Directors for the Rouse Estate located in Warren County.

As Amended:

HB 1039 PN 1214 (Dailey) (Vote 11-0)- This bill identifies specific conditions or care needs that would preclude a consumer from being admitted to or retained by a personal care home.

Amendment A2818- This amendment strips out the personal care home language and provides assessments for Medicaid managed care providers and intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 6/8/04

As Committed:

HB 1211, PN 2632 (Micozzie) (Vote 10-0)- This bill amends the Public Welfare Code by raising the personal needs allowance to not less $40 per month for Medical Assistance eligible individuals residing in nursing facilities.

The bill also provides for a future increase of not less than $45 beginning July 1, 2007.

As Amended:

SB 136 PN 148 (Mowery) (Vote 11-1 Waugh voted no) This bill is known as the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Act and provides for the licensure of assisted living residents and services.

Amendment 1784 (Vote 11-1 Waugh voted no) A comprehensive amendment that eliminates multiple sections. The amendment also removes all reference to licensing of assisted living providers, limiting licensure to residences only.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 2-9-04

Public Health and Welfare Committee 11/25/03

Public Health and Welfare Committee 6/10/03

Public Health and Welfare Committee 3/25/03

Public Health and Welfare Committee 11/13/02

Public Health and Welfare Committee 9/24/02

Public Health and Welfare Committee 6/11/02

The Public Health & Welfare Committee met on Tuesday, June 11, 2002 and reported out the following bills as amended:

Senate Resolution 171, PN 1774 (Greenleaf) A resolution urging the Department of Health to develop a task force ti investigate the health effects of toxic mold. (A3212 Adds forest products and real estate agents as a representative of affect industry. A3088 provides November 30, 2002 as the date by which the task force must present its findings to the General Assembly.)

House Bill 1012, PN 3675 (Micozzie) Amends the Public Welfare Code by adding a new section that provides a personal needs allowance deduction from the gross income of a Medical Assistance eligible individual for the purpose of determining the cost of care while residing in a nursing facility. (A3144 provides for an increase in the personal needs allowance to not less than $45 per month in 2007.)

House Bill 1804, PN 3377 (Reinard) An Act that would establish the Pooled Trust Fund for persons with severe chronic disabilities by pooling resources contributed by families with persons with disabilities. (A3179 reinstates language from a prior printer's number and mirrors federal text.)

House Bill 150, PN 3891(Feese) Amends Titles 18 and 53 by further limiting access of minors to cigarettes by strengthening the penalties on retailers who sell to minors, making it an offense for minors to purchase tobacco products or falsely represent themselves as 18, banning cigarette vending machines in locations accessible to anyone under 18, and be creating new enforcement practices. (A3193 further provides for limitations of access.)

Public Health and Welfare Committee 4/16/02

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 and reported out the following bills:

SB 1324, PN 1781 (Earll) – Interstate Adoption Compact Act – Would permit the Department of Public Welfare to enter into a compact with other states for the purpose of streamlining the provision of Medical Assistance for adopted children whose families move from one state to another and have federally or state funded adoption assistance agreement.

SB 1371, PN 1848 (Mowery) - Federal Pharmacy Plus Program – This legislation directs the Department of Public Welfare is directed to file an application for the Commonwealth to participate in the Federal Pharmacy Plus program of the US Department of Health and human Services. The Pharmacy plus program allows states to expand Medicaid coverage for prescription drugs to Medicare beneficiaries and other individuals with family incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level.