NEW LAWS
Senate Bill 841 –
Reauthorization of the PA Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) –
(COVID) (HEALTH CARE COSTS).
Re-establishes PHC4 as an independent council consisting of public officials and representatives from business communities, organized labor, consumers, hospitals, physicians, nurses, and the insurance industry to collect and disseminate health care cost data. Requires PHC4 to add regional trends in the cost of health care and health insurance premiums and to make PHC4’s information and website more user-friendly.
Senate Bill 67 – Telepsychology – (COVID) (HEALTH CARE COSTS) .
MBA supported telemedicine legislation failed for the second straight session, but telepsychology passed. This allows psychologists from other states to practice through telecommunications with patients in PA. It eases the shortage of psychologists and gives people greater access to help.
Senate Bill 637 – Occupational Licensure Reforms (WORKFORCE).
Removes restrictions for individuals with certain convictions so they can obtain state-issued occupational or professional job licenses. Overhauls Pennsylvania’s outdated occupational licensing laws that deny many qualified residents the right to work because of an old or irrelevant criminal record.
House Bill 68 – Amends the Unemployment Compensation Law – (WORKFORCE) (COVID/UNEMPLOYMENT)
Extends the period of time employers have to apply for relief from charges by increasing the window for an employer to request relief from charges from 15 to 21 days.
House Bill 943 – Transparency for Prescription Drugs – (HEALTH CARE COSTS).
This is important because drug prices are a serious concern for many Pennsylvanians. The bill allows a pharmacy or pharmacist to provide information about the cost of a prescription drug to consumers, including the individual’s share of costs. It prohibits a pharmacy benefits manager (PBMs) from penalizing a pharmacy or pharmacist for disclosing this information to the individual or selling a more affordable alternative.
House Bill 732 – Tax Credits for Petrochemical Plants –
(ENERGY) (TAXES).
MBA supported HB 1100, part of the Energize PA package of bills. The bill was vetoed by the governor about four months ago. On Monday, the Senate approved a revised version of the bill placed in HB 732 and it was then signed over in the House. The bill provides tax credits for firms interested in building petrochemical facilities in the state, like the development of the ethane cracker plant in Beaver County, which has provided a major boost to the regional economy.
