Pennsylvania HR 513: A Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to examine the financial impact of outdated hospital regulations on hospitals in this Commonwealth.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3345
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 513
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY KOSIEROWSKI, STRUZZI, HILL-EVANS, KAZEEM,
ISAACSON, SHUSTERMAN, HANBIDGE, SANCHEZ, KUZMA, VENKAT,
JAMES, OTTEN, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, CIRESI, STEELE, PICKETT,
BOROWSKI, GAYDOS, ZIMMERMAN, DONAHUE, HOWARD, BRENNAN AND
MADDEN, MAY 4, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MAY 4, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
examine the financial impact of outdated hospital regulations
on hospitals in this Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth recognizes the paramount importance
of hospital regulations to ensure that patients receive safe,
high-quality care; and
WHEREAS, Hospital licensure regulations have not been updated
in almost 40 years and do not reflect the current operating
environment; and
WHEREAS, The policies, as written, create a greater need to
use an exceptions or waiver process, lead to inconsistent
interpretations by the Department of Health surveyors and make
it difficult for facilities to plan for new technologies or
strategies to ensure health care access; and
WHEREAS, Misalignment with Federal regulations imposes undue
administrative burdens on hospitals in this Commonwealth with no
positive impact on patient safety; and
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WHEREAS, Hospitals in this Commonwealth expend significant
resources, both financial and staff, to ensure compliance with
outdated regulations, which could be redirected back towards
patient care; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study on
the financial and administrative impact of maintaining
compliance with outdated hospital licensure regulations within
this Commonwealth, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Analyzing the number of Federal and State agencies
currently overseeing or regulating hospital operations and
the number and nature of the regulations to which hospitals
are subject.
(2) Analyzing the number or percentage of State
regulations that are duplicative, outdated or unnecessary in
the current operating environment.
(3) Evaluating the volume of resources currently
expended by hospitals to comply with regulations, including
the number of full-time employees, salaries, operational
costs and construction costs.
(4) Evaluating the current sub-regulatory guidance,
policy statements or other guidance documents that provide
the framework for compliance enforcement.
(5) Evaluating the oversight structures that involve
several State agencies or several divisions within one State
agency.
(6) Developing specific recommendations for legislative
or administrative actions to improve the regulatory
environment for hospitals in this Commonwealth;
and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee,
as part of the study and to assist in developing findings and
recommendations, seek input and consult with representatives
from hospitals; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
establish an advisory committee to assist with the study
consisting of, but not limited to, the following members:
(1) Representatives from various State agencies,
including:
(i) The Secretary of Health or a designee.
(ii) The Secretary of Human Services or a designee.
(iii) The Secretary of State or a designee.
(2) Representatives from stakeholders representing
hospitals, including:
(i) A representative of a rural hospital recommended
by a group that advocates on behalf of hospitals and
health systems in this Commonwealth to advance high-
quality, accessible and financially sustainable health
care.
(ii) A representative of an urban hospital
recommended by a group that advocates on behalf of the
hospitals and health systems in this Commonwealth to
advance high-quality, accessible and financially
sustainable health care.
(iii) A representative of a suburban hospital
recommended by a group that advocates on behalf of the
hospitals and health systems in this Commonwealth to
advance high-quality, accessible and financially
sustainable health care.
(iv) A representative recommended by a group that
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advocates for emergency medicine in this Commonwealth and
advocates for emergency physicians and their patients.
(3) Any other representative deemed appropriate by the
Legislative Budget and Finance Committee;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
issue a report of its findings, conclusions and recommendations
within 12 months of the adoption of this resolution to the
following:
(1) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Health and Human Services Committee of the Senate.
(2) The chairperson and minority chairperson of th