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December 5, 2011, 1:52 pm
The House Health Committee this morning approved three pieces of legislation which now move to the House Floor for consideration. SB 349, which provides for the licensure of tanning salons, was amended and reported out of committee, despite concern by some members over funding levels and non-mandatory inspections.
HB 1960, which would extend the ability for medically or technologically dependent children to access services by a pediatric extended care facility up to the age of 21, was reported unanimously.
HB 1977, which prohibits health plans offered through a health insurance exchange from including abortion coverage, expect in cases of rape, incest, or where the mother’s life is in danger, was approved with Rep. Ken Smith (D-Lackawanna) joining Republicans in supporting the measure. Chairman Matt Baker (R-Tioga) pointed out to members that the bill makes use of an opt-out provision for abortion coverage provided in the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and allows insurers to offer abortion coverage as a separate product.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later in the day for the full story.
June 27, 2011, 10:19 am
By a 14 to 5 vote, the House Health Committee amended then reported Senate Bill 732 regulating certain abortion facilities. The adopted amendment, offered by Chairman Matthew Baker (R-Tioga) removed the language sent over by Senate and replaced it with the language found in the House version, House Bill 574. Chairman Baker pointed out that one of the differences in his amendment from the original House bill is the effective date is 180 days. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
June 20, 2011, 2:40 pm
The House Health Committee met today to consider two bills, SB 326 regarding stillbirth certificates and SB 227 concerning liability insurance requirements for family day care homes. After some discussion of amendments, SB 326 was reported from committee as amended. SB 227 was discussed and then passed over, to be reconsidered when the committee is reconvened.
Check out the Committee News section of the Capitol Toolbox later on for the full story.
March 2, 2011, 3:43 pm
Acting Health Secretary Eli Avila spoke before a joint panel of the House and Senate Health Committees this afternoon, detailing the response planned by the Department in light of a recent raid and charges filed against a Philadelphia abortion doctor for allegedly killing a patient and seven babies at his practice. Sec. Avila told the committees the Department will now hold abortion clinics to the same level of scrutiny as surgical clinics, with annual inspections and additional random ones. He also outlined other initiatives to improve monitoring, communication and enforcement of abortion clinic standards around the state.
PLS Subscribers check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
March 1, 2011, 11:33 am
The House Health and Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held a joint meeting to hear from the Pennsylvania Rural Health Association and various stakeholders about the status of rural health care in Pennsylvania. The testifiers highlights issues with access to health care in rural areas, receiving health care in a timely manner, the lack of transportation services in rural areas, and payment for services.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon.
February 14, 2011, 12:15 pm
The House Health Committee met today to consider three pieces of legislation. HB 87, relating to unannounced inspection of child daycare facilities, was reported as committed. The other pieces of legislation were re-referred to the House Human Services Committee. Also announced were subcommittee chairs and committee secretaries.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full details.
February 9, 2011, 11:13 am
The House Health, Human Services, and Insurance Committees held a joint informational meeting today to receive an update from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) on the council’s interactive database giving consumers the Medicare prices for common medical procedures at Pennsylvania facilities.
PHC4 representatives demonstrated the database and responded to member questions and concerns.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more.
February 7, 2011, 12:57 pm
In a series of party line votes, the Republicans on the House Health Committee exerted their numbers and reported out House Bill 42, the “Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act”. The legislation, introduced by committee Chairman Matthew Baker (R-Tioga), prohibits a law or rule from compelling, through penalties and fines, directly or indirectly, any individual, employer or health care provider to participate in any health care system. Committee Democrats’ attempts to table the bill and two attempts at amending the bill were defeated on straight party line votes. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
October 28, 2010, 4:32 pm
The House Health and Human Services Committee held a mental health symposium today. The committee heard from a host of professionals from the mental health and corrections community to address the main issues facing mental health in Pennsylvania. The presenters identified affordable housing, collaboration of resources and the closure of state mental hospitals as the key issues in mental health today. Check out the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story.
June 22, 2010, 11:56 am
In addition to tabling HB 891, the House Health & Human Services Committee today reported out HB 1679 (Gerber) as amended. A motion to re-refer the bill to the Judiciary Committee by Minority Chairman Baker and Rep. Reichley failed by a party-line vote. Due to time constraints, the other two bills on the agenda were passed over. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
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