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Sen. Collett Fights to Codify ACA Protections in PA Law
Healthy Finances 101 Presentation
Senator Collett Hosts 6th Annual Family Health Fair in Willow Grove
Hatboro, Pa.− October 29, 2024 − To ensure local families have resources they need to stay safe and healthy this fall, state Senator Maria Collett (D12-Montgomery), a registered nurse, hosted her sixth annual Family Health Fair on Saturday, October 26 at the Willow...
Collett and Ward Bill Enabling Better Service at Long-Term Care Facilities Heads to the Governor’s Desk
HARRISBURG – October 8, 2024 − The Senate today approved a bill introduced by Sens. Judy Ward (R-30) and Maria Collett (D-12) that would enhance the availability and quality of service at long-term care facilities in Pennsylvania, sending it to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s...
Sen. Collett Supports Creation of Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Advisory Committee
As a nurse who cared for patients at the bedside, I have seen firsthand the dire need for affordable, accessible healthcare. Every Pennsylvanian deserves quality care, and we should never have to choose between paying a medical bill or putting food on the table. Since taking office, I have been working hard to make that a reality here in the Commonwealth.
Safeguarding the Affordable Care Act
Before the Affordable Care Act was implemented, many Pennsylvanians struggled to afford the care they need while keeping the lights on and a roof over their heads. While Republicans in Washington threaten to gut the popular program, I have introduced legislation with fellow Senate Democrats to enshrine key protections of the ACA into state law. Because we are not going back to the days of lifetime limits, denials for preexisting conditions, or kicking young people off their parents’ insurance before 26 years old.
Prioritizing Mental Health
Supporting Aging Pennsylvanians
Ensuring Healthcare Access for Marginalized Groups
Healthcare Workforce Initiatives
High quality care is only possible when healthcare professionals have the tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. As we continue to face staffing shortages in our Commonwealth and across the country, I am dedicated to attracting and retaining a strong healthcare workforce – and to proving that we truly value their lifesaving work.
Here are some of the key actions I’ve taken to support Pennsylvania nurses & other healthcare professionals:
- In 2021, I secured funding for my Nursing Workforce Initiative, which provided $55M in student loan relief for nurses, $1.2M in apprenticeship and industry partnerships, and $500K in residency and mentorship programs.
- Delivered $2M in the 2024-25 PA Budget to continue the Nursing Workforce Initiative’s apprenticeship and residency programs and confront dire nursing shortages.
- Sent my SB 668 (now Act 109 of 2024) to the Governor’s desk, which allows the Certified Nursing Assistants who work closely with long term care residents to receive the training they need to safely administer medications.
- Re-Introduced The Patient Safety Act, which would set safe, unit-specific nurse-to-patient ratios to address critical staff shortages.
Legislation
I am proud to have introduced and cosponsored legislation that prioritizes and protects healthcare access across the Commonwealth.
The Patient Safety Act
Collett
Establish safe patient limits under the care of an individual nurse in Pennsylvania hospitals.
Elijah’s Law: Anaphylaxis Recognition and Emergency Response Procedures in Day Cares
Collett
Requires all day care employees to be properly trained to recognize and respond to anaphylaxis and also requires that epinephrine delivery systems are made available for emergency use in these daycare facilities.
Diagnostic Breast Imaging
Farry/K. Ward/Pennycuick/Collett
Removes out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic imaging for breast cancer.
Protecting Insurance Coverage for Individuals with Pre-existing Conditions,
Senate Bill 50
Hughes
Enshrines in state law a prohibition on health insurance companies from using an individual’s pre-existing medical condition to deny or exclude coverage under a health insurance policy.
Time To Fix Pennsylvania’s Broken Mental Health Care
Collett
This legislation would allocate $100M in one-time ARPA funding to improve access to mental health services based on the recommendations of the Behavioral Health Commission on Adult Mental Health.
Co-pay Accumulator Legislation
Senate Bill 268
Collett/J. Ward
Requires insurers or pharmacy benefit managers to count any amounts paid by the enrollee or paid on behalf of the enrollee by another party when calculating an enrollee’s overall contribution to the plan’s deductible or out-of-pocket limit.
Prohibiting Annual or Lifetime Limits on Health Insurance Policies, SB52
Senate Bill 52
Hughes
Prohibits health insurance policies within the Commonwealth from imposing either an annual or lifetime limit.
Capping the Cost of Epinephrine Delivery Systems for All
Collett
Requires health insurers to cap the cost of Epinephrine Delivery Systems and limits the out-of-pocket cost for consumers to $35.
Nursing Home Resident Protections
Collett/Saval
Prioritizes resident care and protections by:
- Consolidating Financial Reporting for licensed facility operators.
- Requiring at least 75% of taxpayer funds dedicated to a facility are spent on direct bedside care.
- Establishing complete ownership records for each individual or entity that owns or operates the facility; and
- Reforming licensing requirements to prevent the transfer or sale of skilled nursing facilities to entities with a history of closures in the Commonwealth or nationwide, unless specifically approved by the Department of Health.
Protecting the Essential Health Benefits for Insurance Policies Sold in Pennsylvania
Senate Bill 51
Hughes
Codifies the federal essential health benefits (EHB) into state law.