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Legislators moved a flurry of healthcare-related legislation in Week 4 of the session. On the health insurance front, HB 1335, ensuring insurance coverage of colorectal cancer screenings without patient cost-sharing, unanimously passed the Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee (16-0). If adopted by the legislature, this patient-centered bill would take effect January 1, 2026.
In other healthcare insurance-related news, SB 1842 by Sen. Burton, addressing out-of-network provider referrals, advanced in the Senate Health Policy Committee (8-2). The measure would require healthcare practitioners to verify whether referred providers are within a patient's insurance network and notify patients in writing about potential extra costs from out-of-network services.
As in prior weeks, medical malpractice and scope of practice were front and center in week 4. HB 6017 by Rep. Trabulsy passed the House (104-6), broadening the eligibility for individuals to seek noneconomic damages in wrongful death medical negligence cases. A similar measure, SB 734, passed the Senate Rules Committee. HB 649 by Rep. Giallombardo advanced through the House Health & Human Services Committee (18-7), expanding autonomous practice for certified registered nurse anesthetists.
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