LEG REG REVIEW Health Edition
2019, 2nd Issue *** January 14, 2019
LEG REG REVIEW is a periodic newsletter produced by PHILLIPS ASSOCIATES, a professional lobbying and consultant firm located near the State Capitol. It contains news on Pennsylvania legislation and regulations impacting the Insurance and Business Communities. Subscriptions are $100 per year and further information may be obtained by contacting PHILLIPS ASSOCIATES at 717/728-1217 FAX 717/232-7005 or e-mail at xenobun@aol.com.
COMMITTEE CHAIRS NAMED
Previously, LEG REG Review reported on the House Majority (Republican) Chairs. The other three caucuses have followed suit. A selected list follows. Committee members are not yet named.
SENATE COMMITTEE MAJORITY (R ) MINORITY (D)
Aging & Youth John DiSanto (Dauphin/Perry) Maria Collett (Bucks/Montco)
Agriculture/ Rural Affairs Elder Vogel (Beaver) Judy Schwank (Berks)
Appropriations Pat Browne (Lehigh) Vincent Hughes (Phila.)
Banking & Insurance Don White (Indiana) Sharif Street (Phila.)
Communications/Technology Wayne Langerholc (Cambria) Steve Santarsiero (Bucks)
Consumer Protection/Prof. Licensure Tommy Tomlinson (Bucks) Larry Farnese (Phila.)
Education Ryan Aument (Lancaster) Andy Dinniman (Chester)
Env. Resources/Energy Gene Yaw (Lycoming) John Yudichak (Luzerne)
Finance Scott Hutchinson (Venango) John Blake (Lackawanna)
Health & Human Services Michele Brooks (Erie) Art Haywood (Phila.)
Judiciary Lisa Baker (Susquehanna) Daylin Leach (Montgomery
Labor & Industry Camera Bartolotta (Greene/Wash.) Christine Tartaglione (Phila.)
Local Government Scott Martin (Lancaster) Tim Kearney (Chester/Del.)
State Government Mike Folmer (Lebanon) Anthony Williams (Phila. /Del.)
Transportation Kim Ward (Westmoreland) John Sabatina (Phila.)
Urban Affairs/Housing Tom Killion (Delaware) Katie Muth (Chester/Montco)
Vet Affairs/Emergency Prep Mike Regan (Cumberland) Lindsay Williams (Allegheny)
HOUSE COMMITTEE MAJORITY (R ) MINORITY (D)
Aging/Older Adult Tom Murt (Montco) Steve Samuelson (Northamp.)
Agriculture/Rural Affairs Martin Causer (Cameron) Eddie Day Pashinski (Luz.)
Commerce Mark Keller (Perry) John Galloway (Bucks)
Consumer Affairs Brian Ellis (Butler) Rob Matzie (Allegheny/Beav.)
Education Curt Sonney (Erie) Jim Roebuck (Phila.)
Env. Resources/Energy Daryl Metcalfe (Butler) Greg Vitali (Delaware)
Finance Mike Peifer (Pike/Wayne) Jake Wheatley (Allegheny)
Health Kathy Rapp (Warren) Dan Frankel (Allegheny)
Human Services Eugene DiGirolamo (Bucks) Angel Cruz (Phila.)
Insurance Tina Pickett (Bradford) Tony DeLuca (Allegheny)
Judiciary Rob Kauffman (Franklin) Tim Briggs (Phila.)
Labor& Industry Jim Cox (Berks) Pat Harkins (Erie)
Local Government Dan Moul (Adams) Bob Freeman (Northampton)
Professional Licensure Dave Hickernell (Lancaster) Harry Readshaw (Allegheny)
State Government Garth Everett (Lycoming) Kevin Boyle (Phila. /Montco)
Transportation Tim Hennessey (Chester) Mike Carroll (Luz./Lacka.)
Urban Affairs Sue Helm (Dauphin) Tom Caltigirone (Berks)
Vet. Affairs/Emergency Prep. Steve Barrar (Chester/Del.) Chris Sainato (Lawrence)
POLITICS UPDATES
- The date of a special Senate election to replace former Senator Guy Reschenthaler (R-Allegheny) is April 2. Reschenthaler is now a Member of Congress.
- Rep. Angel Cruz (D-Phila) may be running for Philadelphia City Council this year.
- Two Philadelphia Democratic U.S. Representatives, Dwight Evans and Brendan Boyle were named to the tax law-writing House Ways & Means Committee.
ADMINISTRATION CHANGES
The Wolf Administration is seeking to change its executive branch lineup. Secretary of Aging Teresa Osborne who was an early 2015 Wolf appointee will move to serve on the Civil Service Commission. Replacing her will be Robert Torres, former Secretary of State. The new nominee for Secretary of State is Kathy Boockvar. Other Wolf nominations are Michael Newsome as Secretary of Administration, and Meg Snead as Secretary of Policy and Planning.
REGULATORY UPDATES
- Long-Term Care Council meeting dates are set for February 10, April 18, June 12, August 29, October 24, and December 12, 2019.
- Rep. Tom Murt (R-Montgomery) is replacing Rep. Tim Hennessey (R-Chester) on the Long-Term Care Council.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED: The Year Is Young
We are at the start of a two-year legislative session. By November 2020, there will likely be over 600 bills or Resolutions pertaining to insurance. Here is a postage stamp version of where we are now.
Of the 28 Senate bills introduced so far, one has some insurance implications Senate Bill 56 (Williams-D-Phila.) prohibits mental health professionals from providing any transgender conversion services to persons under 18 years of age. If enacted, this would be a direct conflict with Wolf Administration CHIP coverage.
There are 17 Senate sponsorship memos relating to insurance. Of these, 8 are health insurance, 5 are property/casualty, and 4 are other. Health Insurance memos: Pharmacy Benefit Manager regulation; mandated benefit for eating disorders; Stage IV Metastatic Cancer coverage; Breast Density Screening insurance coverage; Insurance Coverage for Infertility Treatments; Insurance Coverage for Lyme Disease; Protecting ACA Minimum Essential Benefits and No Pre-existing Conditions (two bills).
Of the 27 bills and 13 Resolutions introduced in the PA House, none have insurance implications.
There are 36 sponsorship memos dealing with insurance. Of these, 16 are health insurance, 10 are property casualty, and 10 are other. Health Insurance memos: Access to Cancer Clinical Trials; Health Insurance Agents Charging a Fee; Insurance coverage for immunizations administered by Pharmacists; Long-Term Care Rate notifications; Rx Pricing Task Force; Pharmacy Gag Clauses; Medication Synchronization; Long-Term Care Consumer Financial Interest Prohibition Act; No Health Insurance lifetime Limits; No pre-existing conditions; Telemedicine; Mental Health & Substance Abuse Coverage for children; Surprise Billing Protection Act; Insurance coverage for Lyme Disease; Faith-Based Insurance Providers; Allowing for pediatric treatment if the child is not vaccinated.
Please feel free to contact LEG REG Review about any of these or other legislation of interest.
CORRECTION…LEG REG Review incorrectly listed Senator Lindsay Williams’ first name in the last issue, and thanks to reader Joe W. for spotting it.
