Updated February 2021
Current Issues
HARRISBURG OVERVIEW:
Happy 2021! As you may have heard, the Pennsylvania General Assembly recently held swearing-in ceremonies to kick off the new legislative session (2021-2022) and committees have been officially organized. So the legislators are ready to get started. Co-sponsorship memos have started circulating and bills are starting to be introduced and referred to their perspective committees.
Both the House and Senate are scheduled to be in session next week, Monday, February 1st through Wednesday, February 3rd. The Senate will then return for the week of February 22nd. However, the House isn’t expected to return until mid-March.
To officially commence the next budget season, Governor Wolf will be giving his annual budget address on Tuesday, February 2nd. Typically, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees hold budget hearings with all relevant state agencies for several weeks after the budget address to discuss the Administration’s plan in greater detail. However, due to COVID, the Senate has already postponed these hearings with the goal of holding in-person hearings later on. The House hasn’t announced their plans for the hearings yet, but we will keep you updated as we learn more.
As far as the election outcomes, Republicans still hold a majority in both the House (112-90) and the Senate (28-21). And there were some notable internal leadership elections as well:
House leadership in 2021 is comprised of some of the following team members:
Senate leadership in 2021 is comprised of some of the following team members:
Health Committee Chairmanships (No Changes):
The House Health Committee will continue to be led by Majority Chair Kathy Rapp (R-Warren) and Minority Chair Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny).
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee will continue to be led by Majority Chair Michele Brooks (R-Mercer) and Minority Chair Art Haywood (D-Montgomery).
Licensure Committees Chairmanships (One Change):
The House Professional Licensure Committee Majority Chair will continue to be Dave Hickernell (R-Lancaster). Jake Wheatley (D-Allegheny) will now serve as the new Minority Chair.
Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee will continue to be led by
Majority Chair Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks) and Minority Chair Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton).
LEGISLATION:
Our team is anticipating another very active upcoming legislative session for the PSA. Remember it’s a two-year cycle, so any bills introduced now, have until the end of 2022 to be signed into law.
Below are some of the issues on our legislative and policy agenda:
We look forward to continuing to work with you and your team this session. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Happy 2021! As you may have heard, the Pennsylvania General Assembly recently held swearing-in ceremonies to kick off the new legislative session (2021-2022) and committees have been officially organized. So the legislators are ready to get started. Co-sponsorship memos have started circulating and bills are starting to be introduced and referred to their perspective committees.
Both the House and Senate are scheduled to be in session next week, Monday, February 1st through Wednesday, February 3rd. The Senate will then return for the week of February 22nd. However, the House isn’t expected to return until mid-March.
To officially commence the next budget season, Governor Wolf will be giving his annual budget address on Tuesday, February 2nd. Typically, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees hold budget hearings with all relevant state agencies for several weeks after the budget address to discuss the Administration’s plan in greater detail. However, due to COVID, the Senate has already postponed these hearings with the goal of holding in-person hearings later on. The House hasn’t announced their plans for the hearings yet, but we will keep you updated as we learn more.
As far as the election outcomes, Republicans still hold a majority in both the House (112-90) and the Senate (28-21). And there were some notable internal leadership elections as well:
House leadership in 2021 is comprised of some of the following team members:
- Republicans:
- Representative Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) will continue as Speaker of the House.
- Representative Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre) will continue as the Majority Leader.
- Representative Stan Saylor (R-York) will continue as the Majority Appropriations Chairman.
- Democrats:
- Representative Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia) became the first female and first African American Democratic Leader of the House.
- Representative Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery) will continue as the Democratic Appropriations Chairman.
Senate leadership in 2021 is comprised of some of the following team members:
- Republicans:
- Senator Jake Corman (R-Centre) will serve as the new Senate President Pro Tempore (Joe Scarnati retired).
- Senator Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) will be the first female Majority leader in the Senate.
- Senator Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) will continue as the Majority Appropriations Chairman.
- Democrats:
- Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) will continue as the Democratic Leader of the Senate.
- Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) will continue as the Democratic Appropriations Chairman.
Health Committee Chairmanships (No Changes):
The House Health Committee will continue to be led by Majority Chair Kathy Rapp (R-Warren) and Minority Chair Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny).
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee will continue to be led by Majority Chair Michele Brooks (R-Mercer) and Minority Chair Art Haywood (D-Montgomery).
Licensure Committees Chairmanships (One Change):
The House Professional Licensure Committee Majority Chair will continue to be Dave Hickernell (R-Lancaster). Jake Wheatley (D-Allegheny) will now serve as the new Minority Chair.
Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee will continue to be led by
Majority Chair Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks) and Minority Chair Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton).
LEGISLATION:
Our team is anticipating another very active upcoming legislative session for the PSA. Remember it’s a two-year cycle, so any bills introduced now, have until the end of 2022 to be signed into law.
Below are some of the issues on our legislative and policy agenda:
- PSA Supervision Legislation:
- Anesthesia Assistants Legislation:
- Prior Authorization:
- PANA Title Legislation:
- CRNP Independence Practice Legislation:
- Hospital Regulations:
We look forward to continuing to work with you and your team this session. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.