HR 513 — A Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to examine the financial impact of outdated hospital regulations on hospitals in this Commonwealth.

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
 1   Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
 2      examine the financial impact of outdated hospital regulations
 3      on hospitals in this Commonwealth.
 4      WHEREAS, The Commonwealth recognizes the paramount importance
 5   of hospital regulations to ensure that patients receive safe,
 6   high-quality care; and
 7      WHEREAS, Hospital licensure regulations have not been updated
 8   in almost 40 years and do not reflect the current operating
 9   environment; and
10      WHEREAS, The policies, as written, create a greater need to
11   use an exceptions or waiver process, lead to inconsistent
12   interpretations by the Department of Health surveyors and make
13   it difficult for facilities to plan for new technologies or
14   strategies to ensure health care access; and
15      WHEREAS, Misalignment with Federal regulations imposes undue
16   administrative burdens on hospitals in this Commonwealth with no
17   positive impact on patient safety; and
 1      WHEREAS, Hospitals in this Commonwealth expend significant
 2   resources, both financial and staff, to ensure compliance with
 3   outdated regulations, which could be redirected back towards
 4   patient care; therefore be it
 5      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
 6   Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study on
 7   the financial and administrative impact of maintaining
 8   compliance with outdated hospital licensure regulations within
 9   this Commonwealth, including, but not limited to, the following:
10          (1)   Analyzing the number of Federal and State agencies
11      currently overseeing or regulating hospital operations and
12      the number and nature of the regulations to which hospitals
13      are subject.
14          (2)   Analyzing the number or percentage of State
15      regulations that are duplicative, outdated or unnecessary in
16      the current operating environment.
17          (3)   Evaluating the volume of resources currently
18      expended by hospitals to comply with regulations, including
19      the number of full-time employees, salaries, operational
20      costs and construction costs.
21          (4)   Evaluating the current sub-regulatory guidance,
22      policy statements or other guidance documents that provide
23      the framework for compliance enforcement.
24          (5)   Evaluating the oversight structures that involve
25      several State agencies or several divisions within one State
26      agency.
27          (6)   Developing specific recommendations for legislative
28      or administrative actions to improve the regulatory
29      environment for hospitals in this Commonwealth;
30   and be it further

20260HR0513PN3345                    - 2 -
 1      RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee,
 2   as part of the study and to assist in developing findings and
 3   recommendations, seek input and consult with representatives
 4   from hospitals; and be it further
 5      RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
 6   establish an advisory committee to assist with the study
 7   consisting of, but not limited to, the following members:
 8          (1)   Representatives from various State agencies,
 9      including:
10                (i)    The Secretary of Health or a designee.
11                (ii)    The Secretary of Human Services or a designee.
12                (iii)    The Secretary of State or a designee.
13          (2)   Representatives from stakeholders representing
14      hospitals, including:
15                (i)    A representative of a rural hospital recommended
16          by a group that advocates on behalf of hospitals and
17          health systems in this Commonwealth to advance high-
18          quality, accessible and financially sustainable health
19          care.
20                (ii)    A representative of an urban hospital
21          recommended by a group that advocates on behalf of the
22          hospitals and health systems in this Commonwealth to
23          advance high-quality, accessible and financially
24          sustainable health care.
25                (iii)    A representative of a suburban hospital
26          recommended by a group that advocates on behalf of the
27          hospitals and health systems in this Commonwealth to
28          advance high-quality, accessible and financially
29          sustainable health care.
30                (iv)    A representative recommended by a group that

20260HR0513PN3345                     - 3 -
 1          advocates for emergency medicine in this Commonwealth and
 2          advocates for emergency physicians and their patients.
 3          (3)   Any other representative deemed appropriate by the
 4      Legislative Budget and Finance Committee;
 5   and be it further
 6      RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
 7   issue a report of its findings, conclusions and recommendations
 8   within 12 months of the adoption of this resolution to the
 9   following:
10          (1)   The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
11      Health and Human Services Committee of the Senate.
12          (2)   The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
13      Health Committee of the House of Representatives.
14          (3)   The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
15      Human Services Committee of the House of Representatives.




20260HR0513PN3345                  - 4 -