Jun. 8—WILKES-BARRE — U.S. Senators John Fetterman, D-Braddock, Mark Warner (D-VA) and Roger Marshall, M.D., (R-KS) this week reintroduced the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act — bipartisan, zero-cost legislation to improve access to care for seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.
Fetterman said the bill focuses on streamlining the often cumbersome and time-consuming prior authorization process, ultimately allowing health care providers to spend more time on patient care rather than administrative burdens.
This legislation would help physicians better serve and improve care for the 32.8 million Americans who have MA plans.
“Seniors in Pennsylvania must be able to access the health care they need without having to jump through unnecessary hoops like prior authorization,” said Fetterman.
Fetterman said prior authorization is a tool used by health plans to reduce unnecessary care by requiring health care providers to get pre-approval for medical services. However, the current system often results in multiple faxes or phone calls by clinicians, which takes precious time away from delivering care.
Prior authorization continues to be the number-one administrative burden identified by health care providers.
The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act would:
—Establish an electronic prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage plans, including a standardization for transactions and clinical attachments.
—Increase transparency around Medicare Advantage prior authorization requirements and their use.
—Clarify HHS’ authority to establish time-frames for e-prior authorization requests, including expedited determinations, real-time decisions for routinely approved items and services, and other prior authorization requests.
—Expand beneficiary protections to improve enrollee experiences and outcomes.
—Require HHS and other agencies to report to Congress on program integrity efforts and other ways to further improve the e-prior authorization process.
—Result in a zero cost to American taxpayers.
Meuser co-sponsors Energy Choice Act
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, this week co-sponsored the Energy Choice Act — legislation aimed at protecting Americans’ access to affordable and reliable energy sources.
The bill prohibits state and local governments from banning or limiting the use of energy services — such as natural gas, renewable fuels, or propane — based solely on the type or source of the energy.
Meuser said the legislation comes in response to growing efforts in certain states and municipalities to restrict the use of traditional energy sources in favor of mandated electrification. He said these restrictions can drive up energy costs, limit consumer choice, and strain power grids — particularly in regions with extreme weather or high seasonal energy demands.
Meuser said the Energy Choice Act ensures that households and businesses retain the freedom to select the energy solutions that best suit their needs. It prohibits any law or regulation that blocks the connection, re-connection, installation, or modification of an energy service based on its source, so long as that energy is legally sold in interstate commerce.
“Energy policy should be driven by reliability, affordability, and innovation—not political mandates,” said Meuser. “Families and small businesses in Pennsylvania and across the country deserve the freedom to choose the energy sources that work best for them. The Energy Choice Act protects that right, strengthens our energy security, and ensures we maintain an all-of-the-above and all-of-the-below approach to restore American energy dominance.”
The Energy Choice Act has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for further consideration.
PA Senate Transportation Committee advances Langerholc bill
The Senate Transportation Committee this week approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35), authorizing the Commonwealth to enter into interstate agreements for drone research and deployment.
Senate Bill 468 permits the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, with the governor’s approval, to engage in agreements with other states to facilitate the research and use of unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones.
“This legislation authorizes collaboration across state lines and will position our region and Commonwealth to realize the tremendous economic impact of this industry,” said Sen. Langerholc. “Safe, responsible deployment of drones will aid public safety, create family sustaining jobs, and infuse our Commonwealth with significant economic development.”
Senate Bill 468 now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
PA House passes cyber charter school reform bill
On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed H.B. 1500, authored by state Rep. Mary Isaacson, which would provide meaningful reform to cyber charter schools while enhancing transparency and accountability.
“This bill marks a milestone in my ongoing commitment to champion policies that guarantee Pennsylvania students receive a sound and equitable education, as enshrined in the state’s constitution,” Isaacson said. “Cyber charter schools are paid for by public funds and these reforms will ensure transparency and accountability for students, parents and teachers, and people across the commonwealth will benefit from this reform.”
The lawmaker explained that the bill would focus on cyber charter funding reform by setting a state-wide standardized tuition rate for cyber charter schools while placing caps on their fund balances.
Isaacson’s bill calls for transparency and accountability for cyber charters by following the same reporting requirements for annual budgets, financial statements and construction costs that public schools are required to report.
The bill would also require all low-performing schools to be reported and prevents any gifts or incentives for students enrolling in a cyber charter school.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.