The Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association (PCHA) supports the Catholic health care ministry in PA through witnessing to Gospel values, advocacy, communication, networking, education and united action. The PCHA monitors legislation and regulatory matters and participates in public policy development affecting Catholic health care ministry. You’ve been reading about a current health care issue – the contraception mandate by Health and Human Services that undermines previously held conscience protections. However, that is just one of many bills being watched by the PCHA.
Here are some of the pieces of legislation being monitoring this session:
Senate Bill 3 Opt-out for abortion coverage in health care exchanges – This legislation assures that the taxpayer supported health insurance exchange established in Pennsylvania pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) does not include coverage of elective abortions. The bill in no way undermines national health care reform.
House Bill 1583 Protective equipment for motocycle riders – HB 1583 would require motorcycle riders to wear protective headgear. It would reinstate the helmet law that wasrepealed in 2006. The bill will save lives, reduce health care costs and contributes to public safety and the common good.
Senate Bill 136 Continuing Care Retirement Community Act – This bill would allow licensed continuing care retirement communities to make a limited number of medical assistance certified beds available to residents whose financial circumstances have deteriorated. It could prevent possible transfer of the resident to another care siteand provide some level of reimbursement to the facility.
House Bill 342 Community-Based Health Care Provider Access Act – HB 342 would help reduce unnecessary use of emergency health services and it expands and improves access to preventative care, chronic care and disease management.
Senate Bill 115/House Bill 58 Mental Health Procedures Act – These two similar bills would encourage early treatment of chronic mental illness before more acute problems develop whichwould lead to inpatient treatment.
House Bill 223 Health care coverage for telehealth – This bill would provide health carecoverage of telehealth. Physicians, licensed in another state, could remotelyreceive medical data for a patient in Pennsylvania for the purpose of consultation,diagnosis or treatment.
Senate Bill 1099 Minimum Wage Law (Overtime Pay) – This bill would allow health care providers to continue using an “8/80 schedule” concerning overtime pay for healthcare professionals. Employees who work more than eight hours in one day or more than 80 hours in 14 days are to be compensated fairly for their overtime. Healthcare providers believe the use of 8/80 scheduling has been helpful in staffing appropriately to meet patient needs.
Click here to read the entire Viewpoint, which discusses other bills the PCC is monitoring.
