b'Lobbyist UpdateBy Bigley and Blikle, LLC HOLIDAY GIFT FOR ALLSTATEscreening panel.Hospitals are required BUDGET PROCESS COMPLETEDto report text results to the Department IN DECEMBER of Health.Governor Shapiro signed the bill on December 14 despite the After months of delay, and sometimesexpressed concerns of healthcare partisan ranker, the General Assemblyproviders.The bill was sponsored by completed work on the 20232024Senator Doug Mastriano (R, Franklin)state budget nearly six months beyond the traditional June 30 deadline. Informed Consent for Pelvic and Other Although the General AppropriationsExaminationsbill was enacted in early July, legislationHB 507, authored by Representative to authorize specific budget lineElizabeth Fielder (D, Philadelphia) is items for public education, behavioralnow Act 31 of 2023.The legislation Jonathan Bigley health, and healthcare facilities was not Partner, Bigley & Blikle requires informed consent for pelvic signed by Governor Josh Shapiro untilrectal, prostrate examinations.December 13.The General Assembly isPACEP successfully advocated for an in recess until January 2, 2024. emergency care exception.RELEVANT LEGISLATION SIGNEDPENNSYLVANIAS MEDICAID BY GOVERNOR SHAPIRO INSTATE PLAN AND MEDICAL NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SANE Program Access Signed byADD INTERPROFESSIONAL Governor ShapiroCONSULTATION (E-CONSULTS) SERVICES TO THE FEE SCHEDULESB 414, the SANE Program access legislation, was signed into law onBeginning on January 1 2024, December 14.Authored by SenatorPennsylvania healthcare professionals Elder Vogel (R, Beaver), Act 59 expandscan begin seeking reimbursement SANE access through telehealth andfor electronic interprofessional other methods.consultations for patients covered under the Medical Assistance and CHIP Fentanyl and Xylazine Screening to beprograms. The Department of Human RequiredServices will announce further details in SB 683, legislation to require acute carethe New Year.hospital emergency departments toPACEPs leadership and advocacy teams screen for fentanyl and xylazine whenare working toward legislation that urine drug screening is conductedwould require commercial healthcare to assist in diagnosing a patientsinsurers to provide reimbursement for condition, is now Act 43.Before itsphysician-to-physician consultations.Final Passage, SB 683 was amended toWe expect the bill to be introduced in clarify that xylazine screening wouldearly 2024.not be required if a hospital does not include the substance in its normal 6 PACEP News | Winter 2024'