Grassroots Advocacy Update
July 6, 2021
Coalition Grassroots Activity
- PAO-HNS lobbyist continues to work on reconfirming Dr. McCall to PA State Board of Audiology. His term expired June 18th of 2021 (with a cushion of December 2021). Senator Williams’ office informed her that they must await his official expiration date prior to putting him on the docket. I will check with them again next week.
- PAO-HNS lobbyist participated in the PAO-HNS annual meeting, PAO-HNS board meeting and hosted a virtual advocacy exhibit booth. No PAC donations yet, but we are moving in the right direction.
Collaboration with PAMED/medical specialty colleagues
Prior Authorization:
• House Bill 225 and its companion bill in the Senate (Senate Bill 225) were introduced related to prior authorization.
• PAO-HNS sent out a member solicitation in late June, targeting members residing and/or laboring in Senate Banking and Insurance Committee members’ legislative districts.
• As a result of medical specialty collective grassroots advocacy efforts, Senate Bill 225 was voted out of the committee on June 25th with significant amendments. The bill now resides on the Senate calendar until they return in late September.
Restrictive Covenants:
• House Bill 681 was amended in the House Health Committee on April 7th to include provisions related to restrictive covenants.
• The bill currently is on the House calendar, awaiting final consideration when they return from their summer recess.
Telehealth:
• PAMED, PAO-HNS and interested stakeholders have been working on telehealth, including determining which regulations relaxed during COVID should remain, and provisions that could indirectly expand scope of practice for non-MD providers.
• Three pieces of legislation have been introduced. PAO-HNS lobbyist has been working with PAMED Government Relations staff to review proposed initiatives to determine next step(s).
• Senate Bill 705, sponsored by Senator Elder Vogel, was amended in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee prior to their summer recess. This bill, although not perfect, is the vehicle in which PAMED is looking for enactment.
Scope of Practice:
• Senate Bill 25 (CRNP independent practice) was voted out of the Senate Consumer Protection/Professional Licensure Committee in mid-June. PAMED leads grassroots advocacy efforts to oppose proposed legislation. It is our understanding that bill does not have legs to get to the finish line.
• Senate Bill 397-Senate Bill 398 (Physician Assistant independent practice) were both recently amended and passed the House. Both bills have been referred to the House Professional Licensure Committee. Stay tuned for additional updates.
House of Delegates Resolutions:
• Our colleagues at Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery (PAD) are looking to introduce a House of Delegate Resolution on cost of pharmaceuticals/cost to patients. Details will be provided soon.
• As PAO-HNS lobbyist determines additional resolutions of interest to our members, she will provide updates/analysis.
Informed Consent:
• Senate Bill 425 (Informed Consent)- NOW ACT 61 of 2021. This bill was enacted quickly during this legislative session. A Quick Tip created by PAMED is enclosed for your review.
PAMED has led many of these grassroots advocacy efforts. However, numerous medical specialties are very active in this work. As additional grassroots opportunities exist, we will send information out to members.
Legislative Watch list is attached.
• House Bill 225 and its companion bill in the Senate (Senate Bill 225) were introduced related to prior authorization.
• PAO-HNS sent out a member solicitation in late June, targeting members residing and/or laboring in Senate Banking and Insurance Committee members’ legislative districts.
• As a result of medical specialty collective grassroots advocacy efforts, Senate Bill 225 was voted out of the committee on June 25th with significant amendments. The bill now resides on the Senate calendar until they return in late September.
Restrictive Covenants:
• House Bill 681 was amended in the House Health Committee on April 7th to include provisions related to restrictive covenants.
• The bill currently is on the House calendar, awaiting final consideration when they return from their summer recess.
Telehealth:
• PAMED, PAO-HNS and interested stakeholders have been working on telehealth, including determining which regulations relaxed during COVID should remain, and provisions that could indirectly expand scope of practice for non-MD providers.
• Three pieces of legislation have been introduced. PAO-HNS lobbyist has been working with PAMED Government Relations staff to review proposed initiatives to determine next step(s).
• Senate Bill 705, sponsored by Senator Elder Vogel, was amended in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee prior to their summer recess. This bill, although not perfect, is the vehicle in which PAMED is looking for enactment.
Scope of Practice:
• Senate Bill 25 (CRNP independent practice) was voted out of the Senate Consumer Protection/Professional Licensure Committee in mid-June. PAMED leads grassroots advocacy efforts to oppose proposed legislation. It is our understanding that bill does not have legs to get to the finish line.
• Senate Bill 397-Senate Bill 398 (Physician Assistant independent practice) were both recently amended and passed the House. Both bills have been referred to the House Professional Licensure Committee. Stay tuned for additional updates.
House of Delegates Resolutions:
• Our colleagues at Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery (PAD) are looking to introduce a House of Delegate Resolution on cost of pharmaceuticals/cost to patients. Details will be provided soon.
• As PAO-HNS lobbyist determines additional resolutions of interest to our members, she will provide updates/analysis.
Informed Consent:
• Senate Bill 425 (Informed Consent)- NOW ACT 61 of 2021. This bill was enacted quickly during this legislative session. A Quick Tip created by PAMED is enclosed for your review.
PAMED has led many of these grassroots advocacy efforts. However, numerous medical specialties are very active in this work. As additional grassroots opportunities exist, we will send information out to members.
Legislative Watch list is attached.
General Assembly Session Dates
2021 SENATE SESSION
SCHEDULE TO BE DETERMINED
2021 HOUSE SESSION SCHEDULE
September 13, 14, 15, 27, 28, 29
October 4, 5, 6, 25, 26, 27
November 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17
December 13, 14, 15
SCHEDULE TO BE DETERMINED
2021 HOUSE SESSION SCHEDULE
September 13, 14, 15, 27, 28, 29
October 4, 5, 6, 25, 26, 27
November 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17
December 13, 14, 15
