The Pennsylvania Medical Society has prepared the table below, so that you can get a quick update on some of the key health care legislation that is being considered in Harrisburg. Follow the links to get more in-depth information.
| Bill | Description | Status |
| Acupuncture treatment (Senate Bill 628) |
Would allow acupuncture treatment indefinitely if patient shows no symptoms of medical condition | Senate Consumer Protection Committee |
| Apology� (House Bill 495) |
Would render private benevolent gestures by physicians to their patients inadmissible in court | Passed the House March 2, 2011; currently in Senate Judiciary Committee |
| Concussions in Students Athletes (Act 101, formerly Senate Bill 200) |
Establish standards for managing concussions and head injuries in student athletes | Signed into law by Gov. Tom Corbett on Nov. 9, 2011. Effective July 1, 2012. |
| Fair contracting | Would set minimum standards for physician reimbursement contracts with insurers | House Insurance Committee |
| Credentialing (House Bill 1551) |
Would streamline the physician credentialing process | House Insurance Committee |
| HIV testing (formerly Senate Bill 260, now Act 59) |
Makes HIV testing part of routine medical care and updates state law law so it is consistent with CDC recommendations | Signed into law by Gov. Tom Corbett on July 7, 2011. Effective Sept. 5, 2011. |
| Joint and several liability (Formerly Senate Bill 1131, now Act 17) |
Addresses the issue of proportional liability. | Signed into law by Gov. Tom Corbett on June 28, 2011. |
| Lyme disease education and treatment standards � (House Bill 272) |
Would increase professional and public education on Lyme disease and endorse a specific course of treatment | House Health Committee |
| Ophthalmic Surgery (House Bill 838) (members only) |
Would define ophthalmic surgery | HB 838 passed the House June 22, 2011, and now heads to the Senate. |
| Pharmacist’s scope expansion (Senate Bill 254) (House Bill 817) |
Would allow pharmacists to “inject” individuals under the age of 18 with any injectable medication including immunizations | House Licensure Committee |
| Self referral (House Bill 319) |
Would limit physician self-referral | House Health Committee |
| Tanning regulations (SB 349) (HB 369) |
Would regulate tanning facilities and set age requirements for who may use them | SB 349 passed the Senate Oct. 31, 2011, and now heads to the House Health Committee. HB 369 is in the House Judiciary Committee. |
| Texting� (formerly SB 314, now Act 98) |
Bans reading, writing, or sending a message while driving, making any violation a primary offense. | Signed into law by Gov. Tom Corbett on Nov. 9, 2011. Effective March 8, 2012. |
