Rural Pennsylvania impacted the most by medical debt

(Oct 21, 2024)

Medical debt is an issue that disproportionately impacts rural Pennsylvanians. Efforts to reduce medical debt have been thwarted by legislators representing those communities. Read more

 

Let’s address youth mental health issues before they reach a crisis point

(Oct 11, 2024)

As an emergency physician, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact of untreated mental health conditions. For far too many young people, the first time they access mental health care is in a moment of crisis – often in the ER, when their symptoms have already escalated beyond what community care could have addressed. Read more

 

Venkat’s legislation to ease restrictions on physician assistants passes PA House unanimously

(Oct 02, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s bills that would enhance licensure flexibility for physician assistants related to their supervising physicians passed the Pennsylvania House unanimously today. House Bills 2294 and 2295 would amend the physician licensure acts in Pennsylvania and allow physician assistants to work with either classification of physician, a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, without having to align with the physician’s license type. Current law requires that physician assistants and supervising physicians must be licensed by the same state medicine board. “Medical professionals want to help as many patients as possible, and my commonsense bills eliminate a circumstantial barrier to performing their sworn duty,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their affirmative votes and their personal investments in the health and livelihood of patients and health professionals alike.” Both bills now move to the state Senate for consideration. Read more

 

House Health Committee Voting Packet - October 2nd, 2024

(Oct 02, 2024)

House Health Committee Voting Packet - October 2nd, 2024 Read more

 

Venkat legislation to regulate use of artificial intelligence in processing health insurance claims discussed in committee

(Oct 01, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s bill that would provide greater oversight to the implementation of artificial intelligence by health insurance companies when determining the appropriateness of claims was the subject of an informational hearing today in the Pennsylvania House Insurance Committee. “The rapid growth in the use of artificial intelligence in the health industry may help improve the efficiency of processing insurance claims, but streamlining this process may deprive people of the human connection essential in doctor-patient relationships,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “My bill would not only keep that bond intact, but it would ensure that the deciding determination of claims is in the hands of qualified medical professionals and out of the hands of software programmed to make that call.” House Bill 1663 would place several requirements regarding AI that insurers must follow. They are: Disclosing to clinicians, subscribers and the public that claims evaluations use AI algorithms. Defining “algorithms used in claims review” as clinical review criteria and, therefore, ensuring they are subject to existing laws and regulations that such criteria is grounded in clinical evidence. Requiring specialized health care professionals who review claims for health insurance companies and rely on initial AI algorithms for such reviews to individually open each clinical record or clinical Read more

 

Venkat’s legislation for prompt processing of Medical Assistance applications and long-term care facility reimbursement discussed in committee

(Sep 30, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s bill that would establish timelines for Medical Assistance applications to be approved or renewed for eligible individuals transitioning to long-term care facilities and compensate those facilities for all services provided during the application processing period was the subject of an informational hearing today in the Pennsylvania House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee. As proposed, H.B. 2320 would require the state Department of Human Services and county assistance offices meet said benchmarks. Long-term care facilities could receive part of the funds owed to them faster and request a status update on pending application(s). The department could also end reimbursement to facilities if a person’s Medical Assistance request is denied and claw back any previous interim payments in such circumstances. “Long-term care facilities are vital pillars of the health community in more ways than one. This includes maintaining quality and quantity of care as an individual’s eligibility for Medical Assistance is determined,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “We must, however, compensate these institutions in a timely manner so they can continue to perform their great work. My bill holds state and county offices accountable, in terms of MA application turnaround, and benefits patient and provider alike.” House Bill 2320 will be the subject of further deliberation in the Read more

 

Benham disputes findings of PBM audit, accuses auditor general of acting in bad faith

(Aug 28, 2024)

“I dispute the findings of the Auditor General’s audit because they are rooted in a lack of understanding of key terms. Had the Auditor General engaged with me at any point on the issue of Pharmacy Benefits Managers, an issue I’ve been working on for quite some time, he would perhaps have a better grasp of the issues." Read more

 

Benham closes out statewide pharmacy tour with stops in southeastern PA

(Aug 27, 2024)

Celebrates new law to reform pharmacy benefit manager policy Read more

 

Bipartisan legislators hail new pharmacy law in Schuylkill County

(Aug 13, 2024)

Lawmakers tout pharmaceutical industry reform to help patients, local pharmacies Read more

 

Benham, Cook hail new PBM law at Greene County pharmacy

(Jul 25, 2024)

Bipartisan news conference highlights impact of PBM reform on local pharmacies, patients Read more

 

Benham, Harkins highlight new PBM law with Erie pharmacists

(Jul 22, 2024)

Lawmakers tout pharmaceutical industry reform to help patients, local pharmacies Read more

 

Benham, Burns applaud PBM reform becoming law

(Jul 19, 2024)

Legislators hail new law with Cambria County pharmacists Read more

 

Benham PBM reform bill heads to governor’s desk

(Jul 11, 2024)

Legislation to crack down on predatory drug pricing practices clears state House and Senate Read more

 

Benham, pharmacists call on state Senate to pass PBM reform

(Jul 03, 2024)

“Over 140 pharmacies have closed in our Commonwealth since the beginning of the year,” said Dr. Mayank “Dr. Mak” Amin, the owner of Skippack Pharmacy. “While I stand here and celebrate our pharmacy’s 5th anniversary, we are also bleeding due to poor reimbursements and patient steering. Community pharmacies like Skippack Pharmacy vaccinated over 100,000 patients during the pandemic and provided critical supplies to those in need, but what will save community pharmacies like ours?" Read more

 

PA House passes Benham’s Pharmacy Benefit Manager bill

(Jun 28, 2024)

Benham urges state Senate vote on legislation to reform PBM practices Read more

 

Frankel cheers committee approval of bills to support rural health care, regulate hospital mergers

(Jun 26, 2024)

HARRISBURG, June 26 – Majority House Health Committee Chair Dan Frankel hailed his panel’s approval Wednesday of bipartisan legislation aimed at reducing health care disparities in rural areas by providing grants for the payment of education debt of physicians, nurses and midwives. “When rural facilities cannot attract or retain health care professionals, they can’t keep their doors open, and patients have to travel increasing distances to get basic preventative or emergency care – that’s bad for outcomes, and it’s bad for this commonwealth,” said Frankel, who worked with Republican Health Chair Kathy Rapp to develop the bill ( H.B. 2382 ). “The foundation of our health care system is its workers, so that’s where any effort to support rural health institutions must begin.” The bill received unanimous approval by the committee. The panel also approved legislation introduced by Reps. Lisa Borowski and Paul Takac that would provide more oversight of mergers and other transactions that could threaten access to health services in the commonwealth. The bill ( H.B. 2344 ) would require health systems to file notice and documentation to the Office of the Attorney General before completing critical transactions and provide the Attorney General’s office with the tools needed to do their job of protecting the interests of health care consumers. “Health systems tend Read more

 

House Health Committee Voting Meeting Packet - June 26th, 2024

(Jun 26, 2024)

House Health Committee Voting Meeting Packet - June 26th, 2024 Read more

 

Long-awaited substance use recovery grant program passes Pa. House

(Jun 14, 2024)

The Pennsylvania House on Wednesday passed a bill establishing a lifetime grant program for substance use recovery. Read more

 

Venkat’s opioid overdose awareness toolkit bill passes PA House

(Jun 12, 2024)

HARRISBURG, June 12 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat’s bill that would require the creation of materials to circulate information about the ongoing opioid public health crisis passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with a bipartisan majority today. The legislation, H.B. 1783 , would require the state Department of Health to consult with the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to create a poster, to be displayed in public and private settings, which provides information about opioid overdose. The information would include: Signs of an opioid-related overdose. What to do if an opioid-related overdose occurs. Locating an agent to reverse opioid effects. Additional resources. “I’ve treated many patients in the throes of an opioid overdose as an emergency physician, and proactive measures to help stem the tide of this crisis are imperative,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “I’m grateful to bipartisan House colleagues, especially Representative Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana), not only for their affirmative votes, but for their commitment to saving as many lives as possible with this legislation.” The legislation additionally would authorize the creation of a Lifetime Recovery from Substance Use Grant Program to assist in the development, expansion or improvement of recovery support services delivery in Pennsylvania. Spearheaded by state Reps. Jim Gregory, R-Blair/Huntingdon, and Read more

 

Benham PBM reform bill clears House Health Committee

(Jun 12, 2024)

Legislation to reel in pharmacy benefit managers advances Read more

 

Rural Pennsylvania impacted the most by medical debt
Oct 21, 2024

Let’s address youth mental health issues before they reach a crisis point
Oct 11, 2024

Venkat’s legislation to ease restrictions on physician assistants passes PA House unanimously
Oct 02, 2024

House Health Committee Voting Packet - October 2nd, 2024
Oct 02, 2024

Venkat legislation to regulate use of artificial intelligence in processing health insurance claims discussed in committee
Oct 01, 2024

Venkat’s legislation for prompt processing of Medical Assistance applications and long-term care facility reimbursement discussed in committee
Sep 30, 2024

Benham disputes findings of PBM audit, accuses auditor general of acting in bad faith
Aug 28, 2024

Benham closes out statewide pharmacy tour with stops in southeastern PA
Aug 27, 2024

Bipartisan legislators hail new pharmacy law in Schuylkill County
Aug 13, 2024

Benham, Cook hail new PBM law at Greene County pharmacy
Jul 25, 2024

Benham, Harkins highlight new PBM law with Erie pharmacists
Jul 22, 2024

Benham, Burns applaud PBM reform becoming law
Jul 19, 2024

Benham PBM reform bill heads to governor’s desk
Jul 11, 2024

Benham, pharmacists call on state Senate to pass PBM reform
Jul 03, 2024

PA House passes Benham’s Pharmacy Benefit Manager bill
Jun 28, 2024

Frankel cheers committee approval of bills to support rural health care, regulate hospital mergers
Jun 26, 2024

House Health Committee Voting Meeting Packet - June 26th, 2024
Jun 26, 2024

Long-awaited substance use recovery grant program passes Pa. House
Jun 14, 2024

Venkat’s opioid overdose awareness toolkit bill passes PA House
Jun 12, 2024

Benham PBM reform bill clears House Health Committee
Jun 12, 2024