Source

Spotlight PA

5 stories

Pennsylvania AG Appeals Commonwealth Court Ruling Striking Down Medicaid Abortion Ban

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has appealed a Commonwealth Court ruling that struck down the state's ban on Medicaid-funded abortions, after the court found 4-3 in April 2026 that the ban violates the state constitution's Equal Rights Amendment. The state Supreme Court agreed in mid-July to hear the case again. Sunday intervened in February 2025 to defend the law after the Department of Human Services, which had initially defended it, reversed position and sided with plaintiffs challenging the ban. Sunday cited the Commonwealth Attorneys Act, which requires attorneys general to defend state statutes absent a controlling court decision, though legal experts disagree on whether that obligation extends to appeals.

spotlightpa.org+1 more

State Policy·PA·37d ago

Pennsylvania Delays $1.3 Billion in Medicaid MCO Payments to Balance Budget

Pennsylvania adopted a $50.8 billion budget that delays $1.3 billion in payments to Medicaid managed care organizations as part of accounting maneuvers to preserve an $8 billion rainy day fund. The legislature passed the budget two weeks late, using delayed MCO payments along with more than $500 million from special funds to close the gap. House Appropriations Chair Jordan Harris told reporters the approach ensures Medicaid enrollees still receive care but shifts the timing of MCO reimbursements. The budget includes $900 million in new education spending but no new revenue sources.

spotlightpa.org+1 more

Federal Policy·43d ago

HHS Postpones Preventive Services Task Force Meetings, Plans August Reboot with Eight New Members

The Department of Health and Human Services will announce eight new members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and schedule the panel's first meeting in 17 months for late August. HHS canceled four prior meetings, removed two vice chairs in May, and allowed the 16-member panel to shrink to eight as terms expired without replacement. The task force grades preventive services that Medicaid expansion programs and most private insurers must cover without cost-sharing when rated A or B. Recommendations on prostate cancer screening, weight loss counseling, cervical cancer screening, perinatal depression, and alcohol abuse await votes or formal publication.

spotlightpa.org

State Policy·PA·56d ago

Pennsylvania Projects $5.6 Billion Budget Deficit, May Tap $8 Billion Rainy Day Fund

Pennsylvania faces a $5.6 billion budget deficit for fiscal year 2026-27, according to the Independent Fiscal Office. Governor Shapiro's budget proposal projects using $4 billion from the state's rainy day fund, assuming new revenue from legalizing marijuana and taxing skill games. Without new revenue sources, the state will need to drain reserve funds, implement spending cuts, or use accounting maneuvers to balance the budget by the June 30 deadline. Senate Republicans have discussed cutting Medicaid and SNAP spending, though specifics have not been provided. The state has already drawn down $6.6 billion from reserves over the past two fiscal years.

spotlightpa.org

Federal Policy·57d ago

Trump Administration Holds $2 Billion in HHS Grants Pending White House Review

The Trump administration has instituted a multi-step political review process requiring White House OMB approval for all HHS grant funding opportunities, delaying over $2 billion in congressionally appropriated funds. The process includes AI screening for flagged keywords like "harm reduction" and "gender," followed by political review at multiple levels through HHS Secretary RFK Jr.'s office and OMB. CDC delayed $728 million across 30 grants and SAMHSA held $286 million. State and local health departments, which receive approximately 25% of their funding from federal grants, face service cuts if delays continue. The policy applies to all FY 2026 funding opportunities including 988 suicide hotline expansion, outbreak response, and opioid treatment programs.

spotlightpa.org+1 more